The disgrace of Dred Scott (Sept 17, 1858)? Plessy v. Ferguson (May 18, 1896)? Internment of Japanese citizens (February 1942)? The fiasco of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 7, 1964)? Invasion of Iraq (April 9, 2003)? There have been other candidates, but for pure evil and corruption, concentrated in one man, I think it’s going to be tough to top this week.
First, it’s hard to imagine a more blatant display of cruelty and pure racism than the simultaneous cancellation of visas for Afghan refugees at the same time we agree to fast-track the sons of the Afrikaaners who invented and sustained South Africa’s bloody apartheid regime. One group risked life and family to fight, provide security, and translate for us in return for a ticket to America. Their reward: four years! Then being sent back, where all face deprivation and many face death.
The other side? Well, one reason they’re welcome is that they’ll assimilate more easily? Wow, is it possible to be any more blatant. [“Well, you see, they’re <wink> ‘more like us’ if you know what I mean.”]
But disgraceful as that is, does it even stand up to the Presidential Middle East Bribery Tour? A presidential regime that has long since retired the trophy for “Most Corrupt Ever,” now embarked on a shakedown trip through the region that invented “baksheesh.” Oh, a $400 million jet plane, a personal gift from the admiring people of Qatar?” (That his Attorney General, a former lobbyist for Qatar, quickly approved.) How about a $2B Trump crypto deal with the Saudis? Talks on the Saudi golf league whose main purpose seems to be laundering money to Trump. Trump real estate deals throughout the region. It used to be we ignored their human rights abuses, they bought airplanes from us at exorbitant prices, and they (usually) kept the gas flowing. Now they’re spending billions to make the Mnuchin, Kushner, and Trump families even wealthier.
And this is all out in the open. With “Hunter’s laptop,” the Republicans spent millions of manhours investigating and found: a presidential son, as every presidential son does, trading on the name to get a little slice; a gun charge that the Republicans would have screamed about if the charge had been brought against anyone not named Biden; and a two bit tax beef. And a bunch of vapor. And called THAT “the Biden crime family.”
This is out in the open! Nobody needs to investigate anything! Billions! THEY’RE PROUD OF IT!!!!!
All that comes to mind is Joseph Welch’s immortal putdown of Senator Joseph McCarthy. The remarks could equally well be directed at Trump, his attorney general, or any Republicans who still support this utter disgrace. “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
Leon Reed, freelance reporter, is a former US Senate staff member, defense consultant, and history teacher. He is a 10 year resident of Gettysburg, where he writes military history and explores the park and the Adams County countryside. He is the publisher at Little Falls Books, chaired the Adams County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and is on the board of SCCAP. He and his wife, Lois, have 3 children, 3 cats, and 5 grandchildren.
Are you serious? Could you explain to me why the democrat party wants to defend illegal immigrants that are gang members, drug dealers and killers? You had know problem with Obama deporting thousands of criminals. No liberal judges fileing lawsuits or demotrations. You defend men in womans sports. You stand behind Hamas terrorists and are anti Israel. Your party left in 11 million unveted illegal immigrants. Do i detest Trumps arrogance and demeanor? Yes but feel he in doing the best for America. Your party is bowing to the progressives. Why do you think he won decisively?
Todd,, I’ve been waiting for 20+ years for the chance to use this quote. Thank you. “At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.” Seriously, Todd, not one word of your “rambling, incoherent response” came within a mile of any point I made. I talked about deporting the brave Afghan translators. (Do you remember, Todd, when you MAGA types shed tears of sorrow that they’re being abandoned? Well, your boy is doing worse.) In response,… Read more »
In a way you are correct Mr Reed. I did ramble on. I suppose it was just a opportunity to try to get answers on why your party supports these issues and many more. Thank you for pointing out my stupidity. Take care Sir.
Todd I get so sick and tired of the same talking point: “Oooh, you libtards are such hypocrites — you had no problem when Obama deported people.” OF COURSE WE DIDN’T. They got due process and Obama exercised some care to make sure he actually deported people who needed to be deported. Trump has done no such thing. He invented this ridiculous claim that we’re at war with som two-bit gang and now claims he doesn’t have to obey any law or court order. And it takes about double the usual MAGA gullibility to believe that they’re rounding up criminals… Read more »
Well written and well said!