Spot on from Slate "Trump's performance in Paris was a stunning abdication of global leadership"
(Even for lifetime failure trump, this is a real low point - my comments)
Trump Retreats From the West
by Fred Kaplan
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/11/trump-paris-armistice-western-world-retreat.html
The most disturbing thing about President Trump’s disgraceful performance in France this past weekend is the clear signal it sent that, under his thumb, the United States has left the West.
He came to the continent to join with other world leaders to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. But the significance of the armistice is not so much to commemorate the fallen in an absurd and ghastly war as it is to celebrate the special peace—grounded in a democratic European Union and a trans-Atlantic alliance—that grew in its wake and the greater war that followed.
And yet, after flying nearly 4,000 miles across the Atlantic, Trump stayed in his room in Paris on Saturday rather than making the additional 50-mile trip to the Aisne-Marne cemetery, where 50,000 American soldiers were laid to rest a century ago. His excuse for not attending was lame, to say the least. His aides said, after the fact, that rainfall precluded a trip by helicopter—a claim refuted by the writer James Fallows, an instrument-certified pilot who, as a former White House official, is familiar with this helicopter.
I *don’t* know what happened in this case.
But it simply is not true that “Marine One cannot fly in rain or fog.” (I speak as instrument-rated pilot, and someone who has been on Marine One.) That part of WH framing should not just be passed along.
— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) November 12, 2018
A later claim, that the route posed a challenge to the large presidential motorcade, is doubly insulting. It’s insulting, first, to the Secret Service and White House travel office whose professionals prepare for, and surmount, any and all obstacles on such trips (an insult exacerbated by the fact that none of the other leaders’ security teams had any trouble dealing with the route); second, to the armed forces and allies, who must wonder whether Trump might turn away from the challenges of mobilizing armored battalions to the front lines in the event of an invasion.
snip - lots more at the link
last para
At such an occasion so rife with moment and symbolism, any other American president would have felt compelled to repair and strengthen this union. If there were any doubts that President Trump understands little about his mission, and cares even less, this trip dispelled them once and for all.
= new reply since forum marked as read
This is surreal that this is even happening.. trump owes Putin so he's selling out America right in front of the whole world and his gop craven doormats have been in freaking Lock Step.
And, the US M$$$M have been derelict once again in their responsibility to expose it thoroughly.. even though they assisted getting the Imposter rigged in.
That pic of the Idiot smiling when his master comes on the scene and Putin's shit eating grin.. giving his little stupid thumbs up should be blasted in 2020.
Just sayin'
I can make room
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017520047
in so many ways. He and his republican cronies are fulfilling the kremlin plan and systematically undermining America's power, prestige, and security.
