Brilliant recap. Republicans who have been part of the Trump kleptocracy will go to their graves denying any knowledge or responsibility. Like post war Germany, their children will be the people who condemn them while forever bearing the shame.
I'm still trying to do the calculation of how fast Ronald Reagan is spinning in his grave at how McCarthy's GOP goes into Johnny Thinwallet mode about giving Ukraine the assistance that it needs to fight back against the preeminent dictator of our time. Higher math isn't my strength. But I'm old enough to remember when they stood for democracy at any cost and upholding our strategic alliances, both with our long-term best interests at heart as well as a fundamental belief that our word should be our bond.
For my part I watched the Zelenskyy coverage yesterday with rapt attention and great admiration for a leader and, by extension, the Ukranian people, who redefine grit and courage every day in front of our eyes. Full shame and scorn on those pampered GOP Congresspeople who skipped his compelling address at the Capitol last night in protest -- further proof that small actions are the product of small minds and small character.
Regarding Cathy Young's excellent piece, in which she lays out the reasons for partisan opposition to Ukraine support in the US, she fails to mention the reason I think most of us are thinking: that many powerful Republicans are surreptitiously in the employ of Vladimir Putin.
I can't wait to read Marc Thiessen's next column in WaPo after that despicable, un-American, pro-Putin tweet. And Tucker Carlson?? God, these people are disgusting.
I like picturing Charlie writing this with a morning glass of French Syrah in hand.
Last night was equal parts inspiring and infuriating. Watching Conservative, Inc. bash the leader of a democratic ally under siege by one of our adversaries was disgusting, reprehensible, humiliating, etc etc etc. I honestly am at a loss for words at how angry I was at some of the reactions to Zelenskyy. Truly despicable stuff. It's shameful that we, once the Arsenal of Democracy, has become so divided on the question of paying a non-human cost to support an ally in a fight for its survival.
Watching effete, soft-skinned dweebs like Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump, Jr. (who has dogshit deadlift form, by the way) mock Zelenskyy's appearance and appeal for additional matériel and financial assistance is a new low for these people.
Relatedly, I wonder if the Right's attitude toward Zelenskyy would be different had Trump not been impeached. The impression I get is that much of their resentment toward Zelenskyy and Ukraine generally stems from that ordeal, which makes sense, I suppose: why be mad at the guy who tried to blackmail Ukraine when you can be mad at the guy who dimed out the blackmailer instead?
On that cheery note, Merry Christmas, Charlie, and thanks for the dispatch from abroad!
Democrats need to grab a set and start hammering Republicans endlessly on this. Party of appeasement. Party of surrender. Party of dictators.
Putin has handed the west one of the best geo-political opportunities in a generation, and Republicans want to piss it away. As I have said previously, handled even reasonably well, this is the best opportunity for another American Century. Handled the way Trump et. al. want to do it and it almost guarantees a Chinese Century (or a repeat of WWII with us playing the role of the bankrupted and exhausted British Empire, IF we win)
Cathy Young’s article re: President Zelenskyy’s speech last night is reprehensible. As my son said, “ It only took 30 minutes for Zelensky to make America great again.” But these Trumpers?
Zelenskyy represents the best of his country: patriotism, a servant leader devoted to his countrymen, humility, strength and courage. He provoked jealousy I suppose, from those on the right who can’t see past their petty, shallow, narrow narcissistic contemptuous empty self-righteous souls.
It is really incredible watching a parade of rightwingers with no self awareness taking shots from behind their computer screens at the most courageous Western leader we've seen since Winston Churchill, who, in a previous incarnation of the right, was something of a hero. And rightfully so. These people spread mafioso conspiracies about Zelenskyy, knowing they don't have any of his fearlessness, and people who once worshiped Reagan discount him as a former actor. Tim Miller's extemporaneous riff on Trump Jr's welfare case comment on yesterday's TNL pod was perfect.
If Tucker, Greene, Boebert, the Trumps, all those "brave" gun-loving types who think Christmas should be celebrated with kids holding military style weapons, etc. found themselves in the middle of a Ukraine city being bombed to pieces, they would be cowering and crying like the cowards they are, and selling what remains of their souls to their Putin overlords.
George Conway is wrong. The wax in Zelensky’s left ear has more character on any given day than the whole miserable Trump family has had in their wretched lives.
It is clear the Russia's influence in the U.S. goes far deeper than anyone is willing to comprehend. Vladimir Putin has been laundering money into the GOP through the Christian Right for decades... slowly buying political influence through a combination of Russian Mafia (a.k.a. "Dark") Money and political bribery. The result is what we have now: a weak and divided United States too distracted by internal chaos to recognize that there is now a political party actively working to achieve Russia's goal of world domination. At this point the Democrats - flaws and all - are the only party committed to maintaining the United State's role in the world. In contrast, the the entire Republican Party should be tried for sedition and treason. GOP = Government of Putin.
Since Russia and Putin financed the election of the last Republican President, the Republican Party is beholden to Russia and Putin. With any luck, Donald Trump will be the last Republican President.
Has there ever been a more organized anti American movement (in our history) than the current make up of the GOP?
I have to add I think George Conway is more kind about the Trumps than I am.
Why would we assume that that family of grifters would ever have the humanity to visit each other in prison?
Brilliant recap. Republicans who have been part of the Trump kleptocracy will go to their graves denying any knowledge or responsibility. Like post war Germany, their children will be the people who condemn them while forever bearing the shame.
I'm still trying to do the calculation of how fast Ronald Reagan is spinning in his grave at how McCarthy's GOP goes into Johnny Thinwallet mode about giving Ukraine the assistance that it needs to fight back against the preeminent dictator of our time. Higher math isn't my strength. But I'm old enough to remember when they stood for democracy at any cost and upholding our strategic alliances, both with our long-term best interests at heart as well as a fundamental belief that our word should be our bond.
For my part I watched the Zelenskyy coverage yesterday with rapt attention and great admiration for a leader and, by extension, the Ukranian people, who redefine grit and courage every day in front of our eyes. Full shame and scorn on those pampered GOP Congresspeople who skipped his compelling address at the Capitol last night in protest -- further proof that small actions are the product of small minds and small character.
Regarding Cathy Young's excellent piece, in which she lays out the reasons for partisan opposition to Ukraine support in the US, she fails to mention the reason I think most of us are thinking: that many powerful Republicans are surreptitiously in the employ of Vladimir Putin.
Some of these folks ought to saddle up and take a trip to Ukraine.
And grant them their wish, no guns or ammo for you Tucker. Take a field trip. Learn something.
If it’s possible we will collect the pieces and toss you all into a hole together when it’s done.
I can't wait to read Marc Thiessen's next column in WaPo after that despicable, un-American, pro-Putin tweet. And Tucker Carlson?? God, these people are disgusting.
I like picturing Charlie writing this with a morning glass of French Syrah in hand.
Last night was equal parts inspiring and infuriating. Watching Conservative, Inc. bash the leader of a democratic ally under siege by one of our adversaries was disgusting, reprehensible, humiliating, etc etc etc. I honestly am at a loss for words at how angry I was at some of the reactions to Zelenskyy. Truly despicable stuff. It's shameful that we, once the Arsenal of Democracy, has become so divided on the question of paying a non-human cost to support an ally in a fight for its survival.
Watching effete, soft-skinned dweebs like Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump, Jr. (who has dogshit deadlift form, by the way) mock Zelenskyy's appearance and appeal for additional matériel and financial assistance is a new low for these people.
Relatedly, I wonder if the Right's attitude toward Zelenskyy would be different had Trump not been impeached. The impression I get is that much of their resentment toward Zelenskyy and Ukraine generally stems from that ordeal, which makes sense, I suppose: why be mad at the guy who tried to blackmail Ukraine when you can be mad at the guy who dimed out the blackmailer instead?
On that cheery note, Merry Christmas, Charlie, and thanks for the dispatch from abroad!
Democrats need to grab a set and start hammering Republicans endlessly on this. Party of appeasement. Party of surrender. Party of dictators.
Putin has handed the west one of the best geo-political opportunities in a generation, and Republicans want to piss it away. As I have said previously, handled even reasonably well, this is the best opportunity for another American Century. Handled the way Trump et. al. want to do it and it almost guarantees a Chinese Century (or a repeat of WWII with us playing the role of the bankrupted and exhausted British Empire, IF we win)
Cathy Young’s article re: President Zelenskyy’s speech last night is reprehensible. As my son said, “ It only took 30 minutes for Zelensky to make America great again.” But these Trumpers?
Zelenskyy represents the best of his country: patriotism, a servant leader devoted to his countrymen, humility, strength and courage. He provoked jealousy I suppose, from those on the right who can’t see past their petty, shallow, narrow narcissistic contemptuous empty self-righteous souls.
It is really incredible watching a parade of rightwingers with no self awareness taking shots from behind their computer screens at the most courageous Western leader we've seen since Winston Churchill, who, in a previous incarnation of the right, was something of a hero. And rightfully so. These people spread mafioso conspiracies about Zelenskyy, knowing they don't have any of his fearlessness, and people who once worshiped Reagan discount him as a former actor. Tim Miller's extemporaneous riff on Trump Jr's welfare case comment on yesterday's TNL pod was perfect.
If Tucker, Greene, Boebert, the Trumps, all those "brave" gun-loving types who think Christmas should be celebrated with kids holding military style weapons, etc. found themselves in the middle of a Ukraine city being bombed to pieces, they would be cowering and crying like the cowards they are, and selling what remains of their souls to their Putin overlords.
Well Don Jr certainly knows something about "ungrateful international welfare queens." And their heirs.
George Conway is wrong. The wax in Zelensky’s left ear has more character on any given day than the whole miserable Trump family has had in their wretched lives.
It is clear the Russia's influence in the U.S. goes far deeper than anyone is willing to comprehend. Vladimir Putin has been laundering money into the GOP through the Christian Right for decades... slowly buying political influence through a combination of Russian Mafia (a.k.a. "Dark") Money and political bribery. The result is what we have now: a weak and divided United States too distracted by internal chaos to recognize that there is now a political party actively working to achieve Russia's goal of world domination. At this point the Democrats - flaws and all - are the only party committed to maintaining the United State's role in the world. In contrast, the the entire Republican Party should be tried for sedition and treason. GOP = Government of Putin.
Since Russia and Putin financed the election of the last Republican President, the Republican Party is beholden to Russia and Putin. With any luck, Donald Trump will be the last Republican President.