Trump, in Poland, Asks if West Has the Will to Survive

[spanone]

WARSAW — President Trump said on Thursday that Western civilization was at risk of decline, bringing a message about “radical Islamic terrorism” and “the creep of government bureaucracy” to the one European capital he views as most hospitable to his nationalist message.

Mr. Trump, who broke with tradition by attacking American leaders and institutions while abroad, delivered his stark message in a speech to a friendly Polish crowd before a two-day summit meeting of Group of 20 leaders in Germany. There, he will encounter Western leaders who are deeply skeptical of his persona and his policies, ranging from addressing climate change to confronting Russia.

Mr. Trump roused his Polish hosts by recounting the country’s history of resistance to invaders, including Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. But he said nothing about the right-wing government’s crackdown on judges and journalists and its refusal to accept more migrants, policies that have upset European Union leaders. He instead praised Poland as a defender of liberty in the face of existential threats.

“The fundamental question of our time is whether the West has the will to survive,” he said. “Do we have the confidence in our values to defend them at any cost? Do we have enough respect for our citizens to protect our borders? Do we have the desire and the courage to preserve our civilization in the face of those who would subvert and destroy it?”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/world/europe/donald-trump-poland-speech.html

[Turbineguy]

1. A very perceptive question.

The answer of course is that those who voted for Trump do not. And they want to take a lot of others with them.

[spanone]

3. here's the paragraph that jumped out at me.....

Mr. Trump roused his Polish hosts by recounting the country’s history of resistance to invaders, including Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. But he said nothing about the right-wing government’s crackdown on judges and journalists and its refusal to accept more migrants, policies that have upset European Union leaders. He instead praised Poland as a defender of liberty in the face of existential threats.

[Turbineguy]

9. To trump

democracy is an existential threat.

That and "Those People".

Besides, the Nazis and Soviets are safe. They have good branding in a bad way.

[Solly Mack]

2. the creep of government bureaucracy is the last thing that bothers an authoritarian.

As long as its their kind of government bureaucracy - where anything goes for those with power and money, and the rest of us meekly obey the government.

It's the laws, rules, and regulations meant to benefit and protect "the people" that bother Trump.

Trump is spouting Reagan/GOP/Thatcher "big government" bullshit.

[Hieronymus]

4. Trump's disparaging the US and

our intelligence services is a new thing from an American president.

[spanone]

5. ...and trashing the former President Barack Obama.

i remember how the right-wing destroyed the careers of the Dixie Chicks...for saying they were embarrassed by W* in England.

fuck this guy trump.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

6. Trump and the Republicans are the number one threat to the West

Their combination of power and willful ignorance has the potential to wreck everything. Republicans purposefully blow the terrorism threat way out of proportion. I actually think they like terrorism. To them, it a useful tool to spread fear and they can use that to get people behind them to fight the bad guys. Also, they look like good guys relative to terrorists. Pretty much anyone does.

[Vinca]

7. They're the number one threat to the existence of the planet.

[liberal N proud]

8. Everything he says and does, is anti democracy, anti American

This is a very dark and dangerous time for the country and world.