The disrespect to Zelenskyy is so galling my only consolation (?) is this guy has dealt with much worse - he knows what he stands for and knows these other people in the room are fools.
This is my 78 y o dad, lifelong member of the conservative party posting today on Facebook in the best English available to him
"To my friends in America:
Goodbye, America
This post doesn't really belong here, but I'd like to get rid of it.
For several decades I have travelled many times from Germany to America. The country I love and have visited 27 states. I have cycled the East Coast Greenway, pedalled the Pacific Coast Trail, met many nice people and visited wonderful places. The cosmopolitan democracy always gave me a strong feeling
This year I wanted to combine my two big cycle tours with a trip from west to east. Unfortunately, I will be cancelling that.
The country is now ruled by unscrupulous profiteers who have no sense of statesmanlike responsibility. They don't care about anything except big money. The strongest are beginning to blackmail and exploit the weaker.
This is no longer my country, as 95% of all Europeans think
So glad you are here to give us a place to grieve and process. So sorrowful and embarrassed by our "leaders." Shouting at Zelenskyy that HE's leading us toward WW3. Gaslighting the entire world.
Appreciated this discussion between PP and the Bulwark and I hope it happens again. Thanks for processing what’s happening— and for the advice on how to respond most effectively.
Like the idea of holding a town hall even if the person won't come. I know someone who lives and owns a small business in Elise Stefanik's district, and the person has many reasons to try to contact Stefanik and has been frustrated for years at how hard it is to contact her.
This was like watching a bad episode of reality tv. For me, this is the worst behavior I’ve ever witnessed by a sitting president and vice president. Trump really brought the political version of go to your room and don’t come out until you’re ready to apologize. 😒😒😒
Thank you for this discussion. I believe Trump keeps Elon around because of his ownership of X and his bottomless pockets of money. They are both benefiting financially from their collaborations.
I want to thank Sarah for bringing up his age, because he really does sound like a confused old man! Yes, it’s consistent for him to hate Zelensky and love Putin, but the way he is doing it makes him seem confused and like he’s living in an alternate reality. I would like to hear more people connecting his ridiculous comments with the fact that he is old and out of his mind.
Joe quoting Mitch McConnell “it’s good because … and also it Ends up with a bunch of dead Russians” These kind of statements make my blood run cold. (And I know he was quoting McConnell) What is up with men - why are lives not worth anything if they’re on the ‘wrong’ side. I just can’t!!! Someday WOKE will mean that all lives are obviously valued. To everyone.
Yeah..that stopped me short too. People are complete abstractions to Trump, Elon, JD etc. Trans people and immigrants are fair game to be demonized, federal workers can be talked about & treated with such disrespect. If you genuinely saw them as people you wouldn't be nearly as comfortable with that. Sigh.
Can we please finally stop pretending like Trump is playing some kind of 4D chess? This was a narcissistic bender on full display by the POTUS. Trump is ruling like a mob boss. His cabinet and the GOP caucus of Congress have not and will not stand up to him. They deserve to be called out all day every day.
That meeting today made me cry. I hate the way they treated President Zelenskyy. I could barely watch. I’m so embarrassed to be American today. Thank y’all for discussing.
Vance really brought the immature bully awful dad energy with all his “have you said thank you, have you even said thank you????” That was traumatizing for a kid raised catholic🤮WOW On a lighter note, Beth have you tried a Hatch light for your daughter? Might ease the morning wake up - but never quit the storytelling!!! What lucky kids to have such thoughtful and engaged parents !! When they are adults you will have so many “remember how you woke me up for school with a tall tale?”….
This was such a show and I am so sorry that President Zalensky had to be a part of it. This is "our" President so we have to own this. If we had any questions before today, America is officially on the team of the bad guy. The bad guy "with cards" not the "good guy" who was attacked for not having any cards. Is there nothing Europe can do in our absence?
The disrespect to Zelenskyy is so galling my only consolation (?) is this guy has dealt with much worse - he knows what he stands for and knows these other people in the room are fools.
Curious on follow up thoughts on Rubio based on his tweet that cheered this meeting…
This is my 78 y o dad, lifelong member of the conservative party posting today on Facebook in the best English available to him
"To my friends in America:
Goodbye, America
This post doesn't really belong here, but I'd like to get rid of it.
For several decades I have travelled many times from Germany to America. The country I love and have visited 27 states. I have cycled the East Coast Greenway, pedalled the Pacific Coast Trail, met many nice people and visited wonderful places. The cosmopolitan democracy always gave me a strong feeling
This year I wanted to combine my two big cycle tours with a trip from west to east. Unfortunately, I will be cancelling that.
The country is now ruled by unscrupulous profiteers who have no sense of statesmanlike responsibility. They don't care about anything except big money. The strongest are beginning to blackmail and exploit the weaker.
This is no longer my country, as 95% of all Europeans think
I am so sad."
So glad you are here to give us a place to grieve and process. So sorrowful and embarrassed by our "leaders." Shouting at Zelenskyy that HE's leading us toward WW3. Gaslighting the entire world.
Appreciated this discussion between PP and the Bulwark and I hope it happens again. Thanks for processing what’s happening— and for the advice on how to respond most effectively.
Like the idea of holding a town hall even if the person won't come. I know someone who lives and owns a small business in Elise Stefanik's district, and the person has many reasons to try to contact Stefanik and has been frustrated for years at how hard it is to contact her.
This was like watching a bad episode of reality tv. For me, this is the worst behavior I’ve ever witnessed by a sitting president and vice president. Trump really brought the political version of go to your room and don’t come out until you’re ready to apologize. 😒😒😒
Thank you for this discussion. I believe Trump keeps Elon around because of his ownership of X and his bottomless pockets of money. They are both benefiting financially from their collaborations.
So glad to see this here because I needed a moment after watching this meeting! I truly thought to myself, “Trump sounds like a confused old man.”
I want to thank Sarah for bringing up his age, because he really does sound like a confused old man! Yes, it’s consistent for him to hate Zelensky and love Putin, but the way he is doing it makes him seem confused and like he’s living in an alternate reality. I would like to hear more people connecting his ridiculous comments with the fact that he is old and out of his mind.
Joe quoting Mitch McConnell “it’s good because … and also it Ends up with a bunch of dead Russians” These kind of statements make my blood run cold. (And I know he was quoting McConnell) What is up with men - why are lives not worth anything if they’re on the ‘wrong’ side. I just can’t!!! Someday WOKE will mean that all lives are obviously valued. To everyone.
Yeah..that stopped me short too. People are complete abstractions to Trump, Elon, JD etc. Trans people and immigrants are fair game to be demonized, federal workers can be talked about & treated with such disrespect. If you genuinely saw them as people you wouldn't be nearly as comfortable with that. Sigh.
Definitely falls into the category of, “Things that make you go…🤦🏼♀️.”
Can we please finally stop pretending like Trump is playing some kind of 4D chess? This was a narcissistic bender on full display by the POTUS. Trump is ruling like a mob boss. His cabinet and the GOP caucus of Congress have not and will not stand up to him. They deserve to be called out all day every day.
That meeting today made me cry. I hate the way they treated President Zelenskyy. I could barely watch. I’m so embarrassed to be American today. Thank y’all for discussing.
Vance really brought the immature bully awful dad energy with all his “have you said thank you, have you even said thank you????” That was traumatizing for a kid raised catholic🤮WOW On a lighter note, Beth have you tried a Hatch light for your daughter? Might ease the morning wake up - but never quit the storytelling!!! What lucky kids to have such thoughtful and engaged parents !! When they are adults you will have so many “remember how you woke me up for school with a tall tale?”….
The weaponizing gratitude hit me too - it’s all too common in many Christian circles! UGH.
And how in the H should he thank those two for the aid? They weren't at all behind it, were they?
Came to substack to mourn and rage this exchange and so appreciated there’s already words from y’all about it
Felt sick to my stomach watching it
This was such a show and I am so sorry that President Zalensky had to be a part of it. This is "our" President so we have to own this. If we had any questions before today, America is officially on the team of the bad guy. The bad guy "with cards" not the "good guy" who was attacked for not having any cards. Is there nothing Europe can do in our absence?