It almost doesn't matter what happens from this point on

[matt819]

Putin has won. For that matter, Kim Jong-un has won.

The US is in disarray, and is likely to remain so for the next four years - maybe even the next generation.

Instead of focusing on rational policies and continuing to build on the alliances Obama strengthened over the past eight years, this administration is fantastically irrational and working, in their own words, to deconstruct the US Government. At the same time, they are hoping to build up the military to levels I don't think even the military wants or needs. And with the deconstruction of every other department, there is no equilibrium in the executive. And with slavering shills in Congress, there are no checks or balances on the executive. And let's not even discuss the judiciary. As a result of all of this, the US no longer has any credibility and certainly not the moral high ground to respond to any aggression by Putin, to say nothing of almost certainly not meeting its NATO treaty obligations in the event US support is needed in Europe.

Then there's Kim Jong-un. Sure, he's nuts. But the minute this administration said that a US military strike was on the table, that gave him the go-ahead to at least attempt a conventional or nuclear strike against South Korea.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we have closed our doors to immigrants, including foreign students spending tens of billions each year. No more environment safeguards, infrastructure funds to the ludicrous wall, etc., etc. On top of this, you and I know full well that this sort of instability will compel foreign companies to reduce their investment in the US and American companies to aggressively seek safer environments. Sure, they'll talk about investments and commitments to America, but, mark my words, they will not happen. Or at least they won't happen while republicans are in charge.

I know I'm not saying anything we are not all thinking.

[JHan]

1. you sound fatalistic, we shouldn't be.

fatalism is defeating.

[matt819]

4. I'm not, really

And I'm know my post was pointing out the obvious. I'm just observing, as DemocratSinceBirth did in another post, that in many respects Putin has won. This is not to say that we give up. These hearings are critical, even if the need to hold them is part of the chaos and distraction that Putin and 45 crave. I only hope that people go to prison over all of this. Or defect to Russia, so we can see their true colors. I half expect to see 45 take off some day soon to Russia or some other country without an extradition agreement. Heck, I half expect someone to ask 45 to surrender his passport.

So, yes, I'm angry, and one some days I am somewhat fatalistic, but overall I think we will get through this and beginning in 2018 and 2020 start to set things right.

[JHan]

5. ;)

[wcast]

15. +1000

[still_one]

2. It sure does matter, and makes 2018 critical

[Heartstrings]

3. I think he sounds

theoretically realistic...

[Juliusseizure]

6. Nearly the opposite of what I'm thinking

Last edited Mon Mar 20, 2017, 05:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Putin's actions have made him public enemy no. 1. It was ISIS, Iraq, Iran, Al Queda, and Muslims for 25 years. Its now Russia.

He got a Russian puppet in office in the Ukraine. He's now in exile in Russia and wanted for treason. Ukraine remains a democracy, despite a large native Russian population

He has a Russian puppet in the white house. It won't help him. Trump's administration will now live under investigation for collusion for a long time. He's on the defensive and going down. If dems win back the house, forget it.

Even if they somehow found nothing, he's still done for. If they found something, he's done and Republicans are tainted for years.
Trump can tweet all he wants. He's lost public trust.

[blue neen]

7. Yep.

Excellent synopsis.

[Kimchijeon]

9. I would like to think you're right

But then I do think of how the for-profit cable media outlets ensure that most americans are just totally oblivious to most of this, or are filled with propaganda and lies. It's an uphill battle I think, but well worth the effort.

[matt819]

11. Of course he's lost the public trust

No question. Approval polls are sinking, which suggests that even some of his die-hard deplorables are now losing confidence. It will be interesting to see what that core number turn out to be. Federal employees are stymied from doing their jobs. 45 has commissars in many (all?) departments in an effort to instill fear in the cabinet secretaries as well as the federal civil service staff. Government agencies are in the process of being "deconstructed." Even if this turns out to be unsuccessful, work is still not being done, services are still not being provided. We're at the point when frigging Canadian girl scouts won't travel to the US. American citizens with foreign names or foreign places of birth are being detained. American schools are telling their foreign students not to go home for spring or summer breaks. Immigrants, legal or illegal, who already distrusted the authorities, are cutting off contact with law enforcement.

So, you're right, but the damage has been done.

[blue neen]

8. Putin only wins if the American people give up...

and that's not going to happen.

[Renew Deal]

10. Trump will not be president forever

[Grammy23]

12. He should never have been president.

The longer he is in office, the more he and his team do things to disrupt and destroy this country. Our relationships with nations around the world have deteriorated. Our internal structures and agencies are being dismantled. This morning I heard Mr. Comey indicate there is no way to estimate how long their investigation will continue. So I guess that means the team of thugs and thieves in the White House will continue. Today we have confirmation that something very bad happened in our election process last year, but we may have to live with that knowledge (and its aftermath) for an indefinite time due to the ongoing investigation. By the time we get around to holding a hearing to unwind all of the players the havok will have succeeded. I am not sure when or if we can ever recover and that really is a shame.

My level of frustration just went up by a magnitude of 100 after hearing that there is no way to estimate how long it will take to remove tRump due to ongoing investigations. I hope I am wrong and that at some point today we hear that our Congress will put this on a fast track to resolution for the good of this country!

[Demsrule86]

13. Right we are doomed....no point in fighting...well I for one won't listen to you or any

other person who thinks like you. Why post this? If you want to give up and sit on your hands, do so. However, leave the rest of us alone.

[matt819]

16. What about this post says anything about giving up

What I said is entirely accurate. We are in chaos. This benefits Russia and other regimes hostile to the US. The hearings, which will undoubtedly go on for some time, distract from the actual, you know, governing. Sure, I hope all of these buffoons end up on trial for treason or any number of other crimes. I am not saying it's not necessary, and I'm not saying it's the end of the world, and I'm not giving up. But we are being wilfully blind if we don't acknowledge the reality, even as we pursue some sort of justice in the long run.

BTW, the only people you should be gratuitously insulting to are trolls, and since I've been here for 15 years I don't think I fall into that category.

[wcast]

14. Good post and I think spot on.

We are in disarray and will continue to be. Up to 40% of the country will not believe this, even if there was videotape showing Trump taking directions from Putin while a hooker peed on him. They will fight back doubly hard when dems take control of Washington. It will make the Obama years seem like a love fest.

That, though, is least important to me. The real issue is we have lost, as you stated, any moral high ground. We have lost face with the world and every action will be analyzed heavily. Our word will no longer be good enough and it will take a long time to earn back what Obama bought us.