This betrayal was the big one

[stevenkesslar]

I’m a former U.S. intelligence officer. Trump's Ukraine betrayal will have terrible consequences.

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My former [CIA] colleagues’ thoughts shifted to the future as well. Many stated that this betrayal was the big one: epic in its scope, with far-reaching consequences for the next fight, likely with China. The fallout will be even worse than the Afghans left to fend for themselves. It will now be impossible for anyone to trust the U.S. as an ally. Our adversaries even now must be celebrating; there are surely open vodka bottles in the Kremlin.

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Is this what Trump wants as his legacy? Does “America First” really mean “America the Betrayer”?

I'm not a lifelong fan of the CIA.   I was not on their side for Iraq and "weapons of mass destruction".   

But I think this guy's main point is correct.  And history will play out as he predicts.  This is very bad news for the US as a global leader of anything.

America has the will to fight for democracy for as long as it takes?   HA HA HA.  That's funny.   Everyone in the world can now have a good laugh.  Especially Putin and Xi.

The one thing about this that is stunning is the brazen egomania of it.  Maybe Trump is demented due to his age.  But I think this is a lifelong affliction, not old age. 

The gamble is that somehow Trump pulls Putin away from Xi, our supposed true enemy to the Trump right wing.  It worked with Krazy Kim in the first season, so why not try it again?  🤪 

This is insane.   It probably has the makings of a good video game, or a political thriller novel.  But in real life?  Most Americans, and most people on the planet, do not want Genocide Man and Genocide World to win. 

Putin and Xi are happy authoritarians in bed with each other.  Most leaders see this one way:  Putin and Xi will play Trump, rather than the other way around.  It cements Putin's alliance with Xi, and hands them a huge victory. 

It destroys a century old alliance between Europe and the US.  And that betrayal is the big one.  Proof of concept is that Germany's new leader, an icon of the pro-NATO and pro-America European Establishment, is publicly saying that he can't believe he is publicly saying that our alliance with America is ending.

The silver lining in this cloud is that Republicans perhaps found a way to exploit a basic Trump impulse:  rape.  If we can rape Ukraine of their minerals, well hell.  I'm for rape.  Rape is good. Rape is American.  Shit, why didn't anyone tell me I can rape Ukraine?  I'm always for rape.

Harris has a new poll out saying strong majorities of Americans oppose Trump cutting Ukraine and the EU out of his deal with Russia.  57 % oppose Trump forcing Ukraine to make territorial concessions to end the war.  

But 69 % of Americans agree with this statement, which is a nice sounding definition of the actual rape:

If Ukraine agrees to share revenues from rare earth elements 50/50 in the future to pay for billions in U.S. military support should the United States offer direct security guarantees to Ukraine?

Again, 69 % said yes.  I would answer yes, too.  Only because rape seems like a better option for Ukraine than death at this point.

So, Americans like rape and betrayal.  This was the big one.  Now the world knows.