McConnell Urges Mike Johnson to Allow Vote on Ukraine Aid

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday said he hopes Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) won't block the just-passed foreign aid bill from consideration in the House.

Posted by LampLighter at 09:30 AM | 71 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

More from the article...

... Why it matters: "I hope the speaker will find a way to allow the House to work its will on the issue of Ukraine aid and the other parts of the bill as well," McConnell told Politico, adding that he doesn't "have any advice" on how Johnson does it. ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-14 12:23 AM | Reply

Putin doesn't want it, therefore dementia don doesn't want it, therefore magat mike will not allow it.

#2 | Posted by Nixon at 2024-02-15 09:42 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Does Mike Johnson actually receive a pay check from the Kremlin or does he actually believe Americans approve of what Putin is doing in Ukraine? He is very wrong and when enough Americans realize what he is doing he will be lucky to escape from Washington in one piece. He is the absolute epitome of
'politician", doesn't have any sense of right or wrong. A true piecw of excrement.

#3 | Posted by danni at 2024-02-15 10:17 AM | Reply

Ukraine can be intractable on their own dime.
Nego now, stop the killing.

#4 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-15 11:37 AM | Reply

Ukraine can be intractable on their own dime.
"Ukraine used 3% of US defense budget to destroy half of Russian army " Lindsey Graham news.yahoo.com

Seems extremely cost efficient, if you ask me.

Nego now, stop the killing. #4 | Posted by libs_of_dr
Yes, because we all know that Putin is a man of his word.
"PolitiFact has awarded 2022's "Lie of the Year" to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said he was not going to invade Ukraine, all while he was building up troops on the border" www.nbcmiami.com

#5 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-15 11:54 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#4 ... stop the killing. ...

That is easy to do.

All Pres Putin has to do is stop his unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country and return the areas he is illegally occupying, and the killing will stop.

See, simple.

The onus is on Pres Putin to stop his unprovoked aggression.

#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 11:59 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Thinking it will end without negotiation is delusional.

Don't even start on lies unless you're going to Minsk treaty and duplicity of Ukraine, France and Germany.

#7 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-15 12:03 PM | Reply

#6 lol so naive, this Gaslighter alias is.

#8 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-15 12:05 PM | Reply

#6 really latched onto the 'unprovoked' meme

#9 | Posted by libs_of_dr at 2024-02-15 12:09 PM | Reply

Don't even start on lies unless you're going to Minsk treaty and duplicity of Ukraine, France and Germany.
#7 | POSTED BY LIBS_OF_DR

To be a Conservative, you just first be a Victim.

Poor Russia. A victim of Hillary Clinton's Reset Button.

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-15 12:19 PM | Reply

Thinking it will end without negotiation is delusional.
Sure there will be negotiations. That's pretty much how every war ends. Only question is whether Russia will get to keep any of the Ukrainian land it occupies. The Ukrainians see this as an existential struggle. They've already lived under Russian rule for 70 years or so, They don't seem to be in the mood for another 70.

Don't even start on lies unless you're going to Minsk treaty and duplicity of Ukraine, France and Germany. #7 | Posted by libs_of_dr
Curious, what do you use to wash down that PoohtyJuice? Beer, orange juice? Do you trade PoohtySuckin tips with Hair Furor? The world wants to know.

#11 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-15 12:21 PM | Reply

Only question is whether Russia will get to keep any of the Ukrainian land it occupies.

#11 | POSTED BY CENSORED AT 2024-02-15 12:21 PM | FLAG:

Probably everything East of the Oskil river.

#12 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-02-15 12:27 PM | Reply

Probably everything East of the Oskil river. #12 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Maybe. Once again, up to the Ukrainians.

They're the ones paying the real price, and people can accomplish quite a bit against a superior force if they're motivated and willing to sacrifice (see, e.g., Afghanistan(s), Vietnam).

#13 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-15 12:36 PM | Reply

@#11 ... The Ukrainians see this as an existential struggle. ...

Exactly.

Pres Putin has stated that Ukraine should not exist as a sovereign country, that it belongs to Russia.

The odd thing is that Russia and the West were making progress before Pres Putin's unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country.

Western companies were investing in Russia, bolstering the Russian economy, NATO was lowering its level of arming, etc., etc.

Now, since Pres Putin's unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country. NATO has and continues to beef up its armarment, NATO has doubled its border with Russia, Europe has a greater resolve to grow its defenses against Russia, etc., etc., etc.

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 12:41 PM | Reply

Give the Ukrainians a squadron or two of A-10 Warthogs. These planes are otherwise destined for the boneyard south and west of Davis-Monthan AFB. The recipients will figure out soon enough how to fly them. A week or two later after receiving this 'gift', the Russians will be ready to negotiate peace...

#15 | Posted by catdog at 2024-02-15 01:14 PM | Reply

#6 really latched onto the 'unprovoked' meme

#9 | Posted by libs_of_dr

#9 really latched onto putin's "they made me invade them" excuse.

#16 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2024-02-15 01:23 PM | Reply

Nego now, stop the killing.

#4 | POSTED BY LIBS_OF_DR

How much of your country would you be willing to negotiate over to Russia if they attacked us?

#17 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-15 01:54 PM | Reply

> Nego now, stop the killing. #4 | POSTED BY LIBS_OF_DR
How much of your country would you be willing to negotiate over to Russia if they attacked us? #17 | Posted by donnerboy

I volunteer LIBS_OF_DR's mom as an opening offer.

#18 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-15 02:04 PM | Reply

Do we have an end game here?

Do we have any kind of hard cap as to how much we are going to funnel to Ukraine? Russia is a geopolitical foe, under Putin. They are not an outright enemy and we are not at risk of a Red Dawn situation with Russia.

At some point we have to close the spigot IMO.

#19 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-15 06:31 PM | Reply

At some point we have to close the spigot IMO.
#19 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

The military-industrial complex is on line 2 and they don't sound happy with you.

#20 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-02-15 06:37 PM | Reply

@#19 ... Do we have any kind of hard cap as to how much we are going to funnel to Ukraine? ...

Should we? Did we have a hard cap regarding WWII spending to protect democracy?

#21 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 06:46 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

" The military-industrial complex is on line 2 and they don't sound happy with you.

#20 | POSTED BY RSTYBEACH11 AT 2024-02-15 06:37 PM | FLAG: "

I know.

I'm not opposed to funding this on principle. I can't continue supporting it without an end-game; some kind of cap.

#22 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-15 06:55 PM | Reply

What's the end game?

I say 315,000 dead russians and their military being set back 18 years was a pretty good start.

#23 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-02-15 07:07 PM | Reply

@19 Yes, Russia ceasing hostilities.

Why do we need a hard cap?

What would be the impact, both political and economic of Russia successfully defeating Ukraine and say, attacking a Baltic country?

Is it not cheaper to send Ukraine billions to deplete the Russian military to prevent/discourage them from further aggression?

#24 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-02-15 07:10 PM | Reply

It's cheaper for sure.

Plus, isn't Ukraine joining NATO? Does bellringer think like trump that we should crap on NATO countries?

#25 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2024-02-15 07:11 PM | Reply

@#24 ... What would be the impact, both political and economic of Russia successfully defeating Ukraine and say, attacking a Baltic country? ...

If Pres Putin is successful in his unprovoked invasion of a sovereign Ukraine, what will he do next?

Perhaps that is why Finland had a major change in their popular vote about joining NATO (did Pres Putin anticipate that?), and now Finland is a part of NATO (did Pres Putin anticipate that?), effectively doublng NATOs border with Russia (something I suspect Pres Putin did not want).

So the question remains, if Pres Putin is successful in his unprovoked invasion of a sovereign Ukraine, what will he do next?

#26 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 07:19 PM | Reply

@#25 ... Plus, isn't Ukraine joining NATO? ...

Ukraine has said it wants to.

Indeed, the European Union seems to act in a friendly manner towards Ukraine...

EU reaffirms trade support for Ukraine and Moldova (January 2024)
ec.europa.eu

But Pres Putin seems to be adamant against Ukraine joining NATO. Why? Because then he would not be able to invade Ukraine and dissolve it as a sovereign country.

The Ukrainian military has shown, and proved, its ability to fight against an overwhelming force to protct the freedom and independence of Ukraine.

So, I'd say most worthy of an invite to join NATO.

#27 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 07:27 PM | Reply

Ukraine is not an ally. Zelensky the comedian needs to negotiate with opposition like a serious leader and not like a big guy. Keep our money for America.

#28 | Posted by Robson at 2024-02-15 08:52 PM | Reply

But keep them out of NATO or they will configure a Jussie Schmollet sleaze to suck us into a false flag war

#29 | Posted by Robson at 2024-02-15 08:56 PM | Reply

@#28 ... Ukraine is not an ally. ...

What substantiation does your alias have for that assertion?

... Zelensky the comedian ...

A lame attempt to diminish what Pres Zelensky has accomplished so far.

Pres Putin thought his unprovoked invasion of a sovereign Ukraine would be done in days. Pres Zelensky has a differing opinion.

... Zelensky the comedian needs to negotiate with opposition like a serious leader ...

Yes, he does.

A serious leader, though, does not just give up significant portions of a Country. Or does your alias have a different view on that?

#30 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 09:08 PM | Reply

@#29 ... But keep them out of NATO or they will configure a Jussie Schmollet sleaze to suck us into a false flag war ...

Really, Jussie Schmollet is the best your alias can come up with to keep Ukraine out of NATO?

Wow, just friggin wow.

#31 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 09:10 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Do we have an end game here?
Give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself so Russia never tries this again.

Do we have any kind of hard cap as to how much we are going to funnel to Ukraine?
No, you don't tell the opposition which straw will break the camel's back. And, as noted above, we spent three percent of our annual military budget to destroy 50% of Russia's army, so we're getting excellent return for money spent.

Russia is a geopolitical foe, under Putin. They are not an outright enemy
Says you. Russia has been a thorn in our side for 20 years and they upended order in Europe. They also set back de-nuclearization policy significantly by invading a nation that voluntarily gave up their nukes in return for a promise that their territorial integrity would be respected.

and we are not at risk of a Red Dawn situation with Russia.
No, because we could kick Russia's butt with half our military tied behind our back. As was the plan.

At some point we have to close the spigot IMO. #19 | Posted by BellRinger
Why? So we can give more tax breaks to billionaires so they can build their fifteenth mansion? I'd much rather that our money is spent to allow a free people to defend themselves.

#32 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-15 09:20 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

" Give Ukraine what it needs to defend itself so Russia never tries this again"

Even with the hundreds of billions already sent it looks like Russia will still win a war of attrition because they have way more boots on the ground than Ukraine.

#33 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-15 11:29 PM | Reply

@#33 ... Even with the hundreds of billions already sent it looks like Russia will still win a war of attrition because they have way more boots on the ground than Ukraine. ...

Maybe, maybe not.

Are boots on the ground the ultimate determination?

Pres Putin seems to think along those lines.

But that also seems to encourage countries with large populations to do an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country for the purpose of taking over that country and eliminating its sovereignty.

Is that the end game your current alias sees or wants?

#34 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-15 11:56 PM | Reply

I try to live in reality.

In a proxy war money only goes so far. When this started I felt that Putin thought it would be quick and easy. Clearly it wasn't. From where I'm sitting it looks like a bit of a stalemate currently with a longer drawn out battle favoring Putin. Unless NATO puts boots on the ground and escalates this (big mistake IMO) whether it ends a month from now or a year from now the end result will be Ukraine ceding some land. If that is the inevitable outcome barring escalation I think the best thing to do is negotiate a quick end.

#35 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-16 12:09 AM | Reply

Stop the bleed in both lives and treasure.

#36 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-16 12:09 AM | Reply

Stop the bleed in both lives and treasure. #36 | Posted by BellRinger

It's up to the Ukrainians to decide whether their country is worth fighting and dying for. Or do you think only Americans can love their nation enough to do that sort of thing?

And since you seem so fixated on money, rather than the impact caving to tyrants will have a la Neville Chamberlain, from Fox News:

"A study by AEI shows that 90% of the $68b the US has already sent to Ukraine supports weapons factories here in the US."@JenGriffinFNC on the facts: Ukraine aid isn't a blank check to Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/t9LDPpr9WS" American Enterprise Institute (@AEI) February 15, 2024

But I'm sure the MAGAts have all sorts of things they'd rather spend our money on, as we destroy Russia's military for cents on the dollar without risking a single American life. But that's probably their real problem with all of this; they love Russia now.

#37 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-16 12:24 PM | Reply

"A-10 Warthogs" it fires a bullet that gives people cancer(see iraq). Might as well just poison all of the water. Once war is over, people are supposed to live in these places- not so with some usa made "depleted" bullets.

#38 | Posted by Brennnn at 2024-02-16 03:38 PM | Reply

#37. Don't put words in my mouth.

You know what you sound like? Jag off conservatives who accused anyone opposing the Iraq war as being Saddam's butt buddy.

#39 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-16 04:35 PM | Reply

Stop the bleed in both lives and treasure.
#36 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

There will be more blood, especially Ukrainian blood, if Ukraine surrenders.

Do you understand that or are you too stupid to understand it?

#40 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-02-16 04:40 PM | Reply

Maybe that's why Putin killed Navalny... to make room for the Ukrainian Pres and all the other Ukrainians who would join him there in the Artic Circle.

#41 | Posted by Corky at 2024-02-16 04:51 PM | Reply

Arctic

#42 | Posted by Corky at 2024-02-16 04:52 PM | Reply

#37. Don't put words in my mouth.
Wut?

"Stop the bleed in both lives and treasure. #36 | Posted by BellRinger"
Those are your words, right? I'm pretty sure they are, and I'm pretty sure I only assigned to them the normal meaning of those words.

You know what you sound like? Jag off conservatives who accused anyone opposing the Iraq war as being Saddam's butt buddy. #39 | Posted by BellRinger
You seem irate. I can only assume that you are upset with yourself for embracing Trump's PoohtySucking and love for pennies at the expense of common decency. That's not my fault.

Maybe you once saw the value of moral principle, democracy, and freedom and helping others fight for those things, but your party is now infected with the Trump cancer. Once again, that's not my fault.

If you can't be with the one you love (like Ike Eisenhower), love the one you're with (Hair Furor). He's taken over your party, you might as well accept it since you can't bring yourself to leave it.

#43 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-16 04:56 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Even with the hundreds of billions already sent it looks like Russia will still win a war of attrition because they have way more boots on the ground than Ukraine."

Wait...what?

In what world do you think Russia "wins?"

They win by quitting before they get another hundred thousand soldiers killed.

The other option is they inherit a war of attrition, like the one we (and they) experienced in Afghanistan.

It's already clear that Ukrainians want no part of Russia.

#44 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-02-16 05:25 PM | Reply

#43. I'm guessing you are trolling. Nothing wrong with that, BTW.

#45 | Posted by BellRinger at 2024-02-17 12:50 PM | Reply

The other option is they inherit a war of attrition, like the one we (and they) experienced in Afghanistan.

It's already clear that Ukrainians want no part of Russia.

#44 | POSTED BY MADBOMBER

They can't even take Kiev. How are they ever gonna "win"?

They will have to kill every Ukrainian in Ukraine. I can see republicans are willing to allow that to happen but will the world stand by and allow that?

I think not.

#46 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-02-17 01:16 PM | Reply

#43. I'm guessing you are trolling. Nothing wrong with that, BTW. #45 | Posted by BellRinger

I wasn't trying to. Attempting to have a rational discussion, actually.

#47 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-17 07:00 PM | Reply

How are they ever gonna "win"?
- Donerboyz

Define win.

#48 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-17 07:16 PM | Reply

They win by quitting before they get another hundred thousand soldiers killed.
- mad bomber

What's your source?

McGregor seems to think 100,000 Ukraines are dead and 50,000 or so Russian soldiers.

Ukraine average age of soldier is 49 or something close to that. It was less than 30.

I think the press has been lying about the toll on Ukrainian citizens.

#49 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-17 07:19 PM | Reply

There will be more blood, especially Ukrainian blood, if Ukraine surrenders.
- snoofy

Sure.

#50 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-17 07:19 PM | Reply

war of attrition because they have way more boots on the ground than Ukraine.
- bellringer

This isn't the reason.

Russia can out produce the west in armament, bullets artillery etc. 10:1

The boots on the ground are in case NATO decides to join the fight. Sort of a deterrent to this situation.

#51 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-17 07:22 PM | Reply

Russia is perfecting it's satellite to artillery information pipeline.

I don't imagine the West has anything equivalent to it.

The only thing the West could bring to bear that isn't in the field is air superiority. Even that is questionable. But it's the one thing missing in this fight.

#52 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-02-17 07:25 PM | Reply

@#45 ... I'm guessing you are trolling. Nothing wrong with that, BTW. ...

Projecting, yet again?

#53 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 07:37 PM | Reply

@#51 ... Russia can out produce the west in armament, bullets artillery etc. 10:1 ...

Got links?

#54 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 07:38 PM | Reply

@#52 ... I don't imagine the West has anything equivalent to it. ...

So, your current alias admits it has not a clue of what it speaks?

#55 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 07:39 PM | Reply

Thanks for the view from Saint Petersburg OneIronTurd!

Sounds like everything is going swimmingly for the Russians.

They should probably go ahead and let Ukraine join NATO since Russia's military prowess is centuries beyond our comprehension. Maybe they can develop some elevator shoes for PoohtyPants to help him overcome his shortcomings.

#56 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-17 07:43 PM | Reply

@#56 ... Sounds like everything is going swimmingly for the Russians. ...

One recent, and some say, significant advance...

Ukraine withdraws from Avdiivka, Putin hails 'important victory'
www.reuters.com

... They should probably go ahead and let Ukraine join NATO since Russia's military prowess is centuries beyond our comprehension. ...

That is a quite interesting view.

One that leads me to ask, why is Pres Putin so fraid of Ukraine joining NATO?

#57 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 07:55 PM | Reply

One recent, and some say, significant advance... Ukraine withdraws from Avdiivka, Putin hails 'important victory' [...]#57 | Posted by LampLighter

Yep, at the cost of 3,000 dead/wounded Russians per square mile of land they advanced.

As I said before, the West can ensure that Russia loses this war, even if Ukraine doesn't win.

Let Russia see what it feels like fighting a war for ten years followed by another twenty of insurgency. It'll make Afghanistan look like a walk in the park. All the while, facing demographic collapse as their young and brightest citizens run for the border. Brings a tear to my eye.

#58 | Posted by censored at 2024-02-17 08:31 PM | Reply

I suspect Ukraine is just part of a continuing campaign by Russia to expand the size of its territory for strategic positioning and expanding its control of resources for the purpose of ultimately increasing its political influence/power. Having Ukraine become part of NATO would immediately douse the flame of that dream.

#59 | Posted by TrueBlue at 2024-02-17 08:34 PM | Reply

LAMP

"One that leads me to ask, why is Pres Putin so afraid of Ukraine joining NATO?"

I guess it's because it would put a kink in his plans to restore the U.S.S.R. to its former power and glory, thus cementing his own legacy as the greatest leader Russia has ever known.

It would all be over by now except for two major obstacles: Barack Obama and Joseph Biden.

And now Mr. Putin, who is not getting any younger, is stuck with betting all his chips on a moronic, narcissistic, incompetent psychopath who has already disappointed him twice.

I also suspect that when Donald Trump exhorted his "Russia can do whatever the hell it wants" doesn't mean what we think it does. I think it means Mr. Putin has given Trump an ultimatum. I think there's a rift in the relationship. I think Mr. Putin has threatened to dump him.

There's more.

#60 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-02-17 08:36 PM | Reply

@#60 ... I guess it's because it would put a kink in his plans to restore the U.S.S.R. to its former power and glory ...

Yup.

Pres Putin has an expansionist strategy.

After Ukraine, what next?

Poland?

Estonia?

Now that fmr Pres Trump has apparently given Pres Putin a free reign to invade and usurp any country he wants, what will happen to Eastern Europe.

More importantly, what will happen to Democracy?

#61 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 08:45 PM | Reply

LAMP

Trump isn't in any position to give Russia any "free reign" to do anything. Nor would Mr. Putin be guided by Trump's advice anyway. Mr. Putin isn't afflicted with the same self-destructive pathology as Donald Trump. In short, Trump is his own worst enemy. Mr. Putin isn't.

I think Mr. Putin is getting his own poll numbers at home and is concerned that Trump is going to lose this next election, thus being of no use to Mr. Putin at all. Mr. Putin is no fool. I doubt that he fell for the line that Trump's failure is all the fault of the RNC's failure to fundraise. And once that Trump forces a change in leadership at RNC headquarters, everything will be hunky-dory again.

It's too early to predict what Mr. Putin will do next. Right now, I think he's doing the same thing we are ~ watching the affect Trump's trials are having on the U.S. 2024 election. Even probably more closely than we are.

#62 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-02-17 10:00 PM | Reply

@#62 ... Trump isn't in any position to give Russia any "free reign" to do anything. ...

Currently, I'd agree with you.

But if fmr Pres Trump occupies the Oval Office, what will he do?

Will he follow up upon his comments to trivialize NATO?

Why did the apparent execution of Mr Navalny seem to coincide with fmr Pres Trump's comments about NATO?

What was fmr Pres Trump hoping to achieve with his comment about NATO? Did he achieve it?

#63 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 10:14 PM | Reply

And ... pulling this thread back on topic...

Why does Spkr Johnson seem to have such difficulty rallying his base to pass legislation?

Did fmr Spkr Pelosi have similar issues?

Why does the Republican House Speaker, the second in line for the Oval Office, seem to be unable to govern?

Is Spkr Johnson the best that the Republican Party has to offer to govern in Congress? Second in line ...

If so, it looks to be a sad example. ...

#64 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 10:19 PM | Reply

LAMP

Everything left over from the Trump administration, including Trump himself, is a sad example. Nonetheless, he's still trying to control Congress as if he was still in office. Fortunately, everything points to the House losing the majority this next election. So that's a wait-and-see proposition.

I'm more interested in seeing if Trump's influence in the House wanes as legal problems drain him of his money, property and "brand."

You already know the answer to most of your questions so no need to elaborate.

As for NATO. I think NATO scares Trump to death. Trump usually tries to trivialize things that scare him. He did make a promise to Mr. Putin, though. If Trump gets re-elected, maybe he can blame Congress for his failure this time. i'm sure they'll have something to say about it.

As I watch Biden inch ahead in the polls, commensurate with Trump's losses in court, I just don't think NATO has anything to worry about.

If I'm wrong, then we, as a nation, will just have to deal with it. Maybe someone will find a solution in the second amendment.

#65 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-02-17 11:32 PM | Reply

@#65 ... Nonetheless, he's still trying to control Congress as if he was still in office ...

That does not appear to be turning out well for him.

... You already know the answer to most of your questions so no need to elaborate. ...

So, you seem to know what prosecutors know, i.e., do not ever ask a question you do not know the reply to?

But I will say, in full disclosure, yeah, that comment is great, but I do not nessarily abide by it. I like to be more of a loose canon, so to speak. :)

#66 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 11:47 PM | Reply

@#65 ... As for NATO. I think NATO scares Trump to death. Trump usually tries to trivialize things that scare him. ...

Well, yeah.

My question is ...

Why does NATO seem to scare Mr Pres Trump?

Is that scare due to his apparent loyalty (or monetary obligation) to Pres Putin?

#67 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-17 11:51 PM | Reply

New Order - True Faith (1987)
www.youtube.com

Lyrics excerpt...

genius.com

...
I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A certain sense of liberty
I don't care, cause I'm not there
And I don't care if I'm here tomorrow
Again and again I've taken too much
Of the things that cost you too much
...

I do note that the lyrics of the song may have been changed because the original lyrics seemed to be about drug use.

True Faith (song)
en.wikipedia.org(song)

... The original lyrics included a verse that read "Now that we've grown up together/They're all taking drugs with me". Hague convinced Bernard Sumner to change the latter line to "They're afraid of what they see" because he was worried that otherwise it would not get played on the radio. When performing the song live, the band have usually used the original line.[citation needed] ...

#68 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-18 12:06 AM | Reply

LAMP

"Why does NATO seem to scare Mr Pres Trump?"

Because Trump is a control freak and NATO has 31 members ~ 30 of which he has no control over, in or out of office.

And then, there's Trump's persecution complex. He always thinks somebody is out to "get" him. Especially now. Because he's naked as a jaybird without the "presidency" to hide behind.

If you think that sounds kind of silly, look at it from his perspective.

#69 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-02-18 12:26 AM | Reply

@#69 ... If you think that sounds kind of silly, ...

Quite the contrary, I think your comment is spot on.

Fmr Pres Trump cannot fathom anyone countering his opinions.

What fmr Pres Trump says is The Truth. No questions allowed.

So, yeah, it does not sound silly.

It sounds spot on.

#70 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-02-18 12:35 AM | Reply

LAMP

So, what some people have called cowardice, such as the bone spurs dodge to escape the military . . . or the bullying that he used in school . . . or the lying and cheating he utilized in business . . . or the way he ran his company . . . or the way he berates authorities . . . or the way he surrounds himself with sycophants . . . or the way he refuses to take the advice of his own attorneys . . . or why he treats women with such disrespect . . . are all symptomatic of a man who has a pathological fear of losing the upper hand.

The loss of the presidency (the upper hand) broke him into a thousand pieces.

Stealing the documents gave him some measure of "control." Staging the January 6 insurrection did the same thing. Refusing to obey subpoenas and court orders, the same. Trump enjoys making people crawl to him. It puts him "in control." It's why he fired people, like generals and scientists.

It's also why he denied the existence of a pandemic that eventually killed over a million people . . . because it wasn't something he could control. And he didn't have the guts to turn the job over to somebody else who would usurp him. He would rather let people die.

#71 | Posted by Twinpac at 2024-02-18 04:07 AM | Reply