What is clear, however, is that Trump — who ostensibly spent four years as president of the United States — has little clue about what NATO is or what NATO does. And when he spoke on the subject at a rally in South Carolina over the weekend, what he said was less a cogent discussion of foreign policy than it was gibberish — the kind of outrageous nonsense that flows without interruption from an empty and unreflective mind.
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’” Trump said, recalling an implausible conversation with an unnamed, presumably European head of state. “‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recounted responding. “‘No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.’”
The former president’s message was clear: If NATO members do not pay up, then he will leave them to the mercy of a continental aggressor who has already plunged one European country into death, destruction and devastation.
Except NATO isn’t a mafia protection racket. NATO, in case anyone needs to be reminded, is a mutual defense organization, formed by treaty in 1949 as tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union hardened into conflict. “The parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all,” states Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
How do people not see this as being directed by Putin? Russia is literally the only beneficiary of this “stupidity”.
For the GOP voters? 50+ yrs of highly concentrated, and pointed propaganda.
For the nonvoters? Bc their favorite social media sites (this one included) are full of russian bad faith actors working to make Status Quo Joe seem somehow worse, or, at the very least, more ineffectual, than ronald mcdump.
Just saw a fella here the other day absolutely screeching and livid that Joe “hasn’t done anything for Flint.” I mean, neither did Donald and also Donald hamstrung the EPA as best he could to make things worse all over the nation.
The dishonesty is so overt. That guy didn’t respond to anything, either, so no updates if he is concerned for the EPA or not.
Its all performative. Theres no shortage of 20something yr old leftist idealists that are ripe for the brainwashing. Just discovered The Dunk Tank, which i guess is more of the same.
24 year old leftist redneck the fuck is the dunk tank, is that some tankie shit im too Non Credible Defense pilled to understand.
It’s hexbear so yes, tankie shit. They screen grab themselves “dunking” on “liberals”!
Fair enough, didnt realize it was hexbear. Sounded like a podcast or something like that.
The funny thing is, Russia would never actually strike NATO. I don’t know what the fuck State or JCS are letting him get away with while DOJ jacks off with reports about the incumbent’s mental health, but Trump needs to be gagged and thrown into solitary yesterday.
Is that a new brand of wood chipper?
It certainly has the exact structure of all the other Russian agitation material, designed to breed resentment.
I can imagine the typical low-information voter: “What? They think we’re required to fight for them? And they refuse to do their share at the same time? Oh the entitlement!” - bam - anger against EU, happy about Trump supposedly calling them out, may even support leaving NATO.
True, but EU countries not contributing to mutual defense also helps Putin. Both are bad. Some EU countries are finally adding some defense spending now there’s a literal war on their continent.
The lack of defense spending in Europe is pushed by European political parties partially supported by Russia. So basically, Putin has created the problem that he told Trump to yell about.
It’s a NYTimes article. As much stupid shit as Trump has said, he was right about the NYT. And that’s why they have all these very shareable articles exploring every nook and cranny of his psyche. This article would have been exhausting to read in 2017.