June 12, 2018: President Quisling, Cannot Dominate and Preen, Cutting the Ties that Bind

“When Vladimir Putin ordered his hackers to surreptitiously help Donald Trump in the presidential race,” opined the editors in today's The New York Times, “he could hardly have anticipated that once in office, Mr. Trump would so outrageously, destructively and thoroughly alienate America's closest neighbors and allies as he did at the Group of 7 meeting in Canada.” (1) Indeed, the editors have once again grievously underestimated our adversary. I suspect, and have previously commented in these columns, that Putin anticipated precisely this turn of events; knew precisely who he was dealing with; understood completely how Donald J. Trump could and would serve his interests.

The Times confined its comments this morning to the wreckage in the wake of the G7 summit in Quebec:

“Indeed,” continued the editors, “the group of 7 was just the kind of forum a bully like Trump cannot abide, not out of geopolitical considerations, but because he cannot dominate and preen. He knew he would be on the defensive—over backing out of the Paris environment accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and now over the tariffs he slapped on European and Canadian steel and aluminum—so he made a point of being late, acting petulant, leaving early and lashing out at Mr. Trudeau.” (2)

Like the coward he is, Disgustus didn't confront Trudeau or anyone else directly, instead skipping out early—cutting short his participation in a forum on women's issues and avoiding altogether meetings on the environment—Trump slinked off to Air force One and from the comfort of 30,000 feet lashed out at the conference by repealing U.S. Endorsement of the final communique and insulting the leader of the host country. Disgustus has a penchant for vandalizing institutions by throwing monkey wrenches into the machinery. Through the adroit use of boorish behavior, inspiringly ignorant public statements and unilateral executive actions, tRUMP is doing his best to wreak havoc upon not only domestic institutions within this country but our international alliances and institutions as well. Disgustus also has a penchant, while doing so of insulting the leader of the host country. Remember last year his treatment of German Chancellor Merkle at the last European conference held in Germany when he cold not bring himself to shake the hand of the leader of the host country?

Disgustus, of course, always blames others, always playing the pitiful victim, claiming from the safety of 50,000 feet that it was our allies and particularly Canadian Prime Minister's Justin Trudeau's fault that the summit was not the success he previously claimed it to be. The fact is that the petulant little twit, knowing that the assembled were not about to genuflect at his feet, announced before even landing on the tarmac in Quebec that Russia should be re-admitted to the group—and action that prompted at least one foreign minister to muse that perhaps the United States should be expelled. That's how the meetings began.

“This is not a column” wrote economist Paul Krugman also in today's New York Times, “about whether Donald Trump is a quisling—a politician who serves the interests of foreign masters at his own country's expense. Any reasonable doubts about that reality were put to rest by by the events of the past few days, when he defended Russia while attacking our closest allies.”

“It's important to understand that the fight Trump is picking with our allies isn't about any real conflict of interest—because they are not, in fact, doing the things he accuses them of doing. No, Canada and Europe aren't imposing 'massive tariffs' on U.S. Goods: A vast majority of U.S. Exports enter Canada tariff-free, and the average European tariff is only 3 percent. These are simple facts, not disputable issues.

“So Trump is justifying his attempt to destroy the Western alliance by accusing our allies of misdeeds that exist only in his imagination.” (3)

“We don't know Trump's motivation. Is it blackmail? Bribery? Or just generalized sympathy for autocrats and hatred for democracy?”(4), asks Krugman. Perhaps we shall never know. I suspect it is a combination of all of the above.. Bribery and the susceptibility to blackmail that this entails; blackmail

involving involvement in racketeering and money-laundering with Russian interests, coupled with authoritarian impulses and an overweening devotion to the likes of Putin and Hitler.

In any case Krugman has it right. Disgustus is, in the words of a German diplomat, “a pathetic little man-boy”, a Quisling in Krugman's estimation doing the bidding of the world's strong-man; putting to torch the fabric of civilization and helping to usher in a new age of barbarism. Our Quisling president is a Russian Agent, proving himself to be Putin's 'useful idiot' cutting the ties that bind 280 'twitter' characters at a time.

“An Br'er Putin, he jus' laugh and laugh”.

Impeach and Imprison.

________________

1. Editors “America Isolated” The New York Times. Tuesday, June 12, 2018: Page A22
2. Ibid
3. Krugman, Paul. “A Quisling and His Enablers” The New York Times. June 12, 2018 Page A22
4. Ibid

February 9, 2018: Act So Guilty, Clear as Vodka, Cannot Suspend Disbelief

If Trump's So Innocent, Why Act so Guilty?, read the headline atop an essay in yesterday's New York Times. There are at least a dozen reasons why.

“President Trump and Devin Nunes have been muddying the waters of the Russia investigation, so let's try to clarify those waters so that they are clear as vodka”, wrote Nicholas Kristof in yesterday's Times. (1)

First, it is a unanimous consensus among the 17 U.S. Intelligence agencies, sundry foreign services, and at least two independent investigative sources that the Russians interfered in the American election. “Twitter found that 50,000 Russian accounts fired of 2.1 million election related tweets in the fall of 2016, and in the final weeks around the election accounted for 4.25 per cent of retweets of Trump's own account”. (2)

Second, Disgustus has long-standing business ties with Russia. True enough, he hasn't been able to build that tower in Moscow, although negotiations were proceeding during the primaries and right up to the Rescumlican National Convention. But failing that it has been reported that a Russian fertilizer oligarch purchased Trump's Florida property for roughly two and a half times what he had paid for it, neither Trump nor his buyer ever took up residence and the building was almost immediately raised. Trump pocketed by some accounts about 60 million dollars at a time when, facing numerous bankruptcies, he was strapped for cash. Nothing about the deal makes sense, unless one is peering through the lense of the Russian oligarchy buying influence or, perhaps, navigating the 'useful idiot' toward nefarious undertakings There are other disturbing facts rising to the surface concerning Russian 'shell' companies buying or renting in Trump properties for the purpose of possibly laundering money.

Third, Disgustus has been overly obsequious regarding Putin. He has yet to utter a critical word.

He has described the Russian as '“So nice”, “so smart”, and doing “an amazing job”'. (3). He defends Putin at every opportunity, even downplaying the charge that Putin has killed journalists and critics.

Forth, Kristof points to the uncomfortable fact that Disgustus surrounds himself with people who have pronounced Russian ties. From Carter Page who has been under F.B.I. investigation since 2013 to Paul Manafort, the list now includes Michael Flynn, Papadopoulos, and now several members of the tRUMP family.

Fifth, Russia confided in the tRUMP campaign, sending signals that they had useful information that they were willing to share.

Sixth, tRUMP aides secretly met with the Russians. From the notorious and infamous tRUMP Tower Meeting involving Kushner, Manafort and several Russians, to Eric Prince meeting with the Russians in the Seychelles Islands, to Papadopoulos, meetings and Michael Flynn and Jeff Sessions, ad nauseum, there is a pattern of communication that no one has successfully explained.

Seventh, “Trump Ally Roger Stone Communicated with Guccifer 2.0, believed to be an outlet for Russian military intelligence. Separately, Stone tweeted that 'it will soon [be] Podesta's turn in the barrel'; several weeks later, WikiLeaks began releasing emails Russia had hacked from John Podesta, Clinton's campaign chairman.” (4) Similarly, Rudy Guilliani made remarks concerning 'upcoming information' in advance of WikiLeaks dumps of Clinton emails.

Eight, WikiLeaks communicated directly with Donald tRUMP jr. WikiLeaks has been declared a 'hostile' foreign actor by our State Department and is widely believed to be working closely with Russian intelligence.

Ninth, Kushner met with Sergey Gorkov, “who is close to Putin” (5). Kushner also tried to set up a 'back channel' using Russian communications to the Kremlin, for no doubt nefarious purposes that remain unclear.

Tenth, Disgustus and his aides continually deny any of these contacts and only own up to them when reports surface demonstrating conclusively that these contacts have occurred. While the tRUMP White House protests that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations, the truth is that information is forthcoming only when the facts come under the glare of the kleig lights. “In fact, there were at least 51 such contacts, including 19 face-to-face interactions, by the count of CNN” (6)

Eleventh, Russia is still meddling. The latest reports from the Department of Homeland Security, among others reveal that nefarious Russian activity continues. Indeed, from Russian Bots boosting the 'tweets' of both Disgustus and his lapdog Sean Hannity, to “hashtags like #MAGA and #FullOfSchiff. These same Russian bots are promoting Fox News links and disparage the Russian investigation.” (7)

Lastly, “This is not normal”. Kristof says that he doubts that “there was anything so straightforward as a secret quid pro quo”. (8) But I am not so sanguine. The choice of Tillerson as Secretary of State, he of Exxon-Mobile which has huge investments in Russian oil fields, the exploration of which is hampered by existing American Sanctions. The choice of Flynn as National Security adviser, with known Russian ties, now confessing to having communicated with the Russians about sanction during the campaign and transition. Indeed he has been found sending emails during the inauguration about ending such sanctions. The change in the Rescumlican platform regarding the Ukraine, the needless and senseless war upon the international organizations and agreements that the United States has helped to negotiate and build in the postwar era....all of these appear to be connected to tRUMP's deep fealty to the Russian regime. The question is why?

Certainly, he is acting guilty; for Disgustus despite his years before the camera is not—like Reagan—a convincing actor. He cannot suspend disbelief. At base, he appears for what he is: Guilty. Why else go to such great lengths to thwart efforts to answer the question: Why? Follow the money.

“An' Br'er Putin, he jus' laugh and laugh”.

Impeach and Imprison.

__________________

1. Kristof, Nicholas. “If Trump's So Innocent, Why Act So Guilty?” “The New York Times
   Thursday, February 8, 2018. Page A23
2. ibid
3. ibid
4. ibid
5. ibid
6. ibid
7. ibid
8. ibid

July 22, 2017: Isolated and Friendless, No Desire or Capacity, Skin Flute

“A savage opinion of Donald Trump’s presidency that went viral was delivered by one of Australia’s most seasoned political journalists, who is well known to viewers of the national broadcaster for his frank opinions” (1), wrote Naaman Zhou in “The Guardian”. Quoting Chris Uhlmann, political editor of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation describing tRUMP as “isolated and friendless” pursuing a foreign policy that has “pressed fast-forward on the decline of the United States”. tRUMP, characterized by Uhlmann as an “uneasy, lonely and awkward figure” at the G20 gathering in Hamburg, Germany, has “no desire or capacity to lead the world” declaring that tRUMP now presents “the biggest threat to the values of the west”. (1)

“Where was the G20 statement condemning North Korea which would have put pressure on China and Russia?  Other Leaders expected it, they were prepared to back it, but it never came” (1), concluding that Trump had “managed to isolate his nation to confuse and alienate his allies and to diminish America” (1).  Where indeed?

This has all been of a piece, dating back to well before his presidential campaign and coinciding, it is becoming increasingly obvious, to meetings held between senior campaign operatives and Russian agents as Disgustus, by degrees had become co-opted by the Kremlin.  For over a year now, Disgustus has been trashing our alliances, questioning the legitimacy of our electoral process, the jurisdiction of our courts, and the wisdom of our decades-long foreign policies.  Now we find him in Hamburg shunning the leaders of our allies, even the host German Chancellor, while finding every opportunity to meet with is hero and benefactor in order to begin a long-anticipated bromance.

There is a story breaking that the current imbroglio with the state of Qatar (2) may involve financial entanglements involving White House advisor and Disgustus’ son-in-law and bank loans.  According to the story Kushner, like his father-in-law and mentor, made his move in real estate by making a ‘splash’ in Manhattan.  In this case 666 fifth avenue purchased by some estimates for about twice what it was worth.  As the real estate market tanked in the wake of the ‘Great Recession of 2008’, Kushner has had to scramble to cover his losses leading, by degrees, to seek a loan from Qatar for roughly half a billion dollars, a request that was subsequently rebuked. 

Questions present themselves.  Was the action of the administration, done on the advice of Kushner himself, done not in the national interest of the United States—for we have a military base there—but in retribution for being rebuffed on a private land deal?   Was the action taken against Qatar done an effort to send signals to other governments and principles (China for instance) that one best co-operates with Disgustus and his cohorts or it will determine foreign policy outcomes?  It has been suggested that Disgustus’ hostility to the European Union is a consequence of his difficulty building golf courses in Europe. Does this explain the Russian loans to tRUMP, Inc.?  Does this explain the Chinese government’s reversal of previous policies and grant tRUMP and his children billions of dollars in trademark protections? 

Everyone who has spent any time with Disgustus, his biographers among them, say that everything with tRUMP is about money, and everything is transactional.  The questions present themselves.  What was the quid pro quo involving Disgustus’ behavior regarding Russia?  What were the transactional details regarding his reversal of policy on declaring China as a currency manipulator.  What were the financial deals that led the administration to press Qatar’s neighbors to move to isolate them in the international community.  Were they really financing terrorists or did they simply fail to come to the financial rescue of the tottering real estate ‘empire’ of Disgustus and his family?  Follow the money. 

Meanwhile the twit, when he isn’t “barking out bile in 140 characters” or wasting “his precious days as president at war with the west’s institutions like the judiciary, independent government agencies and the free press” not to mention our alliances, is on “Twitter” declaring that the G20 meeting was a great “success”, citing his deal with Putin on Syria and proposing a joint effort with the Russians to guarantee internet security.

The internet security proposal earned immediate rebuke, moving Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina to remark “I’ve heard dumber ideas, but not many”, and stinging criticisms from the likes of fellow Republicans Susan Collins and John McCain.  What didn’t get nearly as much immediate attention was the deal over Syria where Disgustus agreed to ‘no fly zones’ and the pulling of American support of several “moderate” forces opposing the Assad regime, cutting these allies off at the knees.  This gave Putin a virtual free hand in the region, and represents a virtual unilateral abdication of any U.S. influence.  tRUMP, presenting these “deals” as a great “Success”, basically gave away the store in exchange for a handful of beans.

If this is “success”, I’d hate to see “failure”.   tRUMP played Putin alright, he played him like the proverbial skin flute.

And, meanwhile, “Br’er Rabbit, he just laugh and laugh”. (3)

Follow the money. 

Impeach and Imprison.

-----

(1).  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/09/biggest-threat-to-the-west-australian-journalist-demolishes-trump-after-g20

(2). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

(3).  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%27er_Rabbit