Did Trump just start WW III?

[Moonbeam]

Did I ever mention that people hate themselves and don’t like being told that truth?

If I haven’t just know that it’s important to know that we do because self hate and self destruction go hand in hand. Unfortunately, when you elect a leader who has a really bad case of it, he or she can bring the world down given the power afforded them.

Naturally, a nation full of self loathing voters will happily vote for such a person because they want that hidden inner misery of self contempt to end and they don’t know any other way. Remember to tell people this if you can. It’s the only way we can save ourselves.

Sorry to tell you the bad news. This is why truth hurts.

 

[ivwshane]

I haven’t formed my own opinion yet—as I have yet to watch the full 50 minute presser and not just the 10 minute debacle. I still can’t fathom what Trump/Vance hoped to gain out of this little spat—from all appearances it seems like it was a setup intended to give the Administration cover for A) abandoning Ukraine and pulling all funding/aid; B) forcing a regime change by casting Zelenskyy as an unstable partner; C) or both. My only problem with that—why the fuck would they insist on having press in the room? Because the way this was executed makes America look like the unstable partner—not Zelenskyy.

If Trump/Vance *really* wanted the minerals deal, they could’ve offered the barest of verbal assurances and wouldn’t have chased the Ukrainians out of the White House. It should’ve been a no-brainer to execute the minerals deal and pull a fast one on Zelenskyy afterwards (as everyone thought they might do). Then at least they get something?

But the Three Stooges way this all went down for the entire world to see—it makes it seem almost as if the minerals deal was a ruse this whole time. It really only makes sense if Moscow really is calling the shots. What was really accomplished? If I’m a former Soviet republic/Balkan/Baltic state, I’m more inclined to believe in Putin’s world view. Since the 90’s, he’s always warned these breakaway states that “Westernization” isn’t about freedom or democratic principles, but trading one group of oligarchs for another more dangerous group of ultra-capitalists who will plunder your resources. Better to stick with the devil you know, in other words.

Now Putin can forever point to Ukraine as an example. “Look how they used him [Zelenskyy]—forcing him to keep fighting with one hand tied behind his back while his people suffered—and for what? Just to be forced to hand over 50% of the wealth with no additional security! What a fool!” Trump and Vance essentially just strengthened Putin’s hand to rebuild Russia’s sphere of influence.

You answered your own questions and you already know the answer to the bolded.

When you think you are the smartest person in the room and you see yourself as the next incarnation of Christ (in terms of popularity not in terms of morality), the thought that the “other guy” might make you look bad never crosses one’s mind.

Other than that, it’s best to stick to Occam’s razor and not try to find reasons why such ridiculousness can’t possibly be the reason behind all this.