The problem, of course, is that Trump doesn't want aid for Ukraine, either, and if he is re-elected, betraying Ukraine will be at the top of his list. He has two reasons to hate Ukraine. First, Putin hates Ukraine and wants to destroy it, and Trump, for whatever reason, is in thrall to the Russian dictator. Second, Trump wants revenge. After all, it was Ukraine and Zelenskyy who refused to buckle to his extortionate demand to fake up a Biden investigation in exchange for military aid -- a demand that got him impeached.
Democrats, who are within a few votes of a majority in the House, have two options. (1) They could sponsor a discharge petition on a Ukraine aid bill. This would require a few Republicans to vote in favor, but since a majority of Republicans voted for the last Ukraine aid bill, it might be done. (2) The nuclear option would be to pry loose enough Republicans (five minimum) to take the House leadership away from the current traitorous and cowardly Republican majority, whose only guiding principle appears to be to appease Trump.
I am not convinced that either Republicans or Democrats will be brave enough to do the right thing, but there is a chance.
Trump doesn’t want anything passed. I think Biden will try to get Senate Bill passed, then your call Up Down vote on Ukraine. I think Ukraine will get funded but will test your patience as well as commitment. Yes, as an American, it makes me feel ashamed . Hey, get over it. ; get to work. Thanks for your witness as Quakers say. Bob
The issue is R’s care about Putin as they think Russia is the example US should follow. Also, Immigration deal is combined with this in Congress, but they’d rather run on the problem rather than solve it.
Are you able to confer with various members of the House/Senate and express these points to them directly? I think your perspectives are rational and far sighted, both from a national security standpoint as well as a moral one. I have felt frustrated by the same thought---why not approve it now, improve it later? Then again, this argument presupposes you are speaking to rational people who love their country before campaign politics, but I really have to wonder about their humanity and the state of their consciences. BTW, I enjoyed the online Q & A a few months ago, and sorry couldn’t make the last one. Wish I could take one of your courses!
You are surprised that republicans want to score political points by keeping alive their dogwhistle white-supremacist narrative of "contagion" by brown immigrants and use it to drive their "economically anxious" voters to the polls, rather than resolve an administrative processing issue? This surprised you? did I get that right?
Revealing that Evan Gerskovich wrote this article might help make it clear to Republicans that Putin is someone we do not want for a friend. When the sentence finally came down on Putin’s money launderers last March Evan was immediately arrested.
The problem, of course, is that Trump doesn't want aid for Ukraine, either, and if he is re-elected, betraying Ukraine will be at the top of his list. He has two reasons to hate Ukraine. First, Putin hates Ukraine and wants to destroy it, and Trump, for whatever reason, is in thrall to the Russian dictator. Second, Trump wants revenge. After all, it was Ukraine and Zelenskyy who refused to buckle to his extortionate demand to fake up a Biden investigation in exchange for military aid -- a demand that got him impeached.
Democrats, who are within a few votes of a majority in the House, have two options. (1) They could sponsor a discharge petition on a Ukraine aid bill. This would require a few Republicans to vote in favor, but since a majority of Republicans voted for the last Ukraine aid bill, it might be done. (2) The nuclear option would be to pry loose enough Republicans (five minimum) to take the House leadership away from the current traitorous and cowardly Republican majority, whose only guiding principle appears to be to appease Trump.
I am not convinced that either Republicans or Democrats will be brave enough to do the right thing, but there is a chance.
yep
Trump doesn’t want anything passed. I think Biden will try to get Senate Bill passed, then your call Up Down vote on Ukraine. I think Ukraine will get funded but will test your patience as well as commitment. Yes, as an American, it makes me feel ashamed . Hey, get over it. ; get to work. Thanks for your witness as Quakers say. Bob
Thank you Ambassador!
The issue is R’s care about Putin as they think Russia is the example US should follow. Also, Immigration deal is combined with this in Congress, but they’d rather run on the problem rather than solve it.
Are you able to confer with various members of the House/Senate and express these points to them directly? I think your perspectives are rational and far sighted, both from a national security standpoint as well as a moral one. I have felt frustrated by the same thought---why not approve it now, improve it later? Then again, this argument presupposes you are speaking to rational people who love their country before campaign politics, but I really have to wonder about their humanity and the state of their consciences. BTW, I enjoyed the online Q & A a few months ago, and sorry couldn’t make the last one. Wish I could take one of your courses!
You are surprised that republicans want to score political points by keeping alive their dogwhistle white-supremacist narrative of "contagion" by brown immigrants and use it to drive their "economically anxious" voters to the polls, rather than resolve an administrative processing issue? This surprised you? did I get that right?
Revealing that Evan Gerskovich wrote this article might help make it clear to Republicans that Putin is someone we do not want for a friend. When the sentence finally came down on Putin’s money launderers last March Evan was immediately arrested.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/10/26/in-russia-theres-nothing-to-hide-a-phone-call-with-one-of-putins-closest-friends-a71841