Ukraine, America, and the world are waiting for US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to do what is right and facilitate aid to Ukraine.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a MAGA uber-zealot, has done her part by putting the Speaker’s position in jeopardy and getting Democrats to support Johnson, who is also a Trump ally.
Politics is the art of what is possible. And it certainly makes for strange bedfellows. More importantly, it is often very ironic. Marjorie Taylor Greene may unwittingly enable aid to Ukraine, something she has fiercely resisted. “Unwittingly” is the magic word. Most of what she does is without wit.
In the meantime, and since the New Year, Ukraine is surviving, not with smoke and mirrors but with greater European help and its own innovation and creativity. President Zelensky is proving himself to be a magician as well as a first-class politician, with nerves of steel. He has replaced his surrogates where needed without too much rancour and appeased the dismissed with alternative positions.
In fact, without American assistance, Ukraine has inflicted many losses on Russia, including disabling about half of its naval and aerial power. Russia is now limited to the eastern part of the Black Sea. Still, Russian continues shelling Ukraine’s large cities such as Kharkiv and Odesa.
President Macron of France and Polish Prime Minister Tusk have stepped up suggesting the possibility of their own countries’ boots on Ukrainian ground. While other NATO members have disavowed that, the proposal remains in light of the very real likelihood that the United States will continue to provide mere band-aids for Ukraine’s defense, including the use of the interest on the Russian assets which are sanctioned repositories.
US Aid Package Has Lifted Ukrainians’ Spirits and Poland’s Stance Has Also Helped
The US continues to inhibit Ukraine’s strategy, often embarrassing itself with red lines against Ukraine’s legitimate attacks on Russian oil refineries. Even Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican poster boy for hypocrisy, traveled to Ukraine, seemingly to make amends by proclaiming Ukraine’s place in NATO and suggesting anachronistic lend-lease alternatives as espoused by his boss, the witless Donald Trump. Furthermore, Graham brazenly encouraged a younger Ukrainian conscription attempting to cover up his vote in the Senate against aid to Ukraine. Ukrainians were deeply offended by his pomposity.
While there is reason for optimism, there is pessimism as well, and that is being exploited by Russia. Ukrainian society feels betrayed by America. Russia is and will continue to exploit that feeling. The only argument that will entirely stem Ukraine’s disillusionment in America’s commitment, would be immediate and tangible action.
President Biden recently scolded Speaker Johnson for his two-week Easter vacation while the world is in peril and needs American support. Two weeks with little or no ammunition to defend itself is a long time. Passing a bill on aid to Ukraine does not immediately deliver the much-needed ammunition but it does immediately deliver equally needed moral support.
Other steps must be taken in the interim so that the ammunition and missiles arrive at Ukraine’s border. A previous break at Christmas and now this Easter hiatus simply underscores that Speaker Johnson is a neophyte. Unfortunately, there are few Republicans in the House who can influence Johnson in the right direction.
That influence must be convincing in explaining to Speaker Johnson that this is not a gift to Ukraine. This is an investment in not only the American defense industry but in the jobs of ordinary Americans throughout the United States. Furthermore, it is an investment in global security.
Providing old and outdated US weapons to Ukraine is cheaper than maintaining them or even destroying them as they’ve outlived their usefulness to the US military. These outdated weapons have to be replenished by American industry and American workers, thus strengthening America’s economy. Furthermore, a Ukrainian victory saves American lives because it precludes a war on NATO territory.
My suggestion here is a bipartisan coalition of the sane and moral. There have to be 218 sane and moral members in the House, despite the debilitating cynicism and amorality in America today. The best example is the recent introduction by Donald J. Trump of his election campaign Bible at $60 per copy.
When Speaker Johnson, a self-proclaimed student of the Holy Bible, saw this display and heard Trump say “Make America pray again,” he should have expected Trump to be struck by a bolt of lightning. Fortunately for some and to the disappointment of others, that did not happen.
Ultimately the good in America will prevail. After all, God works in mysterious ways!
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.
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Comments (7)
@MRGA fake American,
Yeah when putinrump was in office he hugely grew USA Debt;
1. The federal debt rose 50% from $14.4 trillion to $21.6 trillion.
2. The US economy lost 2.9 million jobs. Unemployment increased by 1.6%.
3. The U.S. trade deficit was the highest since 2008 and had increased 40.5% from his election in 2016. MAGA hats made in china.
4. Americans lacking health insurance rose by 3 million
5. Home prices rose 27.5%,
6. Illegal immigration increased. Obama deported 3.4 million more.
7. Handgun production rose 12.5%.
8. Murder rate rose 1.1% to the highest level since 1997.
9. Economic growth slowed 3.4 %.
10. 154,000 Manufacturing jobs were lost.
11. Inflation went up 7.4%.
12. Oil production went up 27% albeit it remains 500K barrels a day less then currently under Biden,
13. The USA had the 18th highest per capita covid deaths in the world.
14. Trump filled 33% of Supreme Court; 30% of the appellate court; and 25% of District Court seats with his MRGA cronies. Some now help shelter him from the law, or remove US rights.
15. He spread debunked election lies and fomented an insurrection to overthrow the US government. Fortunately his VP Mike Pence stopped it.
Fortunately the impact of russia's hybrid war against USA makes it doubly beneficial to take advantage of this money making opportunity to defeat putin.
Last year new US weapons sales to Ukraine's allies went up 56% to $238 billion...dwarfing donations of old stuff.
ALERT ! 'Actual American' poster below is actually russian... hey boy, fuck off back to russia, you dumb fuck...
The Trump voters must think Trump will save America a ton of money by throwing its allies under the bus.
You will save nothing but lose all your friends. One day the US may need allies in Europe again and if Trump is in power, we will collectively turn our backs as your enemies circle you.
My message to Putin and China, do whatever you want with America, we won't step in to help them.
(See? doesn't feel very nice does it?)
Sorry Ukraine but America is 35 Trillion (TRILLION) in debt, we cannot afford to pay for another amputation olympics (Ukranian counteroffensive). Given the fact that half your energy grid got blown up this week maybe it's time to cede Crimea before you lose Odessa.
@Actual American, you are actually russian.. dumb fuck moron !
Here are some links revealing the ethics of the leadership the MRGA party (with members like troll 'BOB' below) prefer:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/six-notable-moments-trumps-civil-rape-trial-2023-05-09/
- $88 million awarded to victim.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/a-guide-to-the-criminal-cases-against-donald-trump/
- Charged with 91 felonies. Only US president ever indicted.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68323487
- "In a stunning blow to his business empire, Donald Trump has been found liable for almost $355m (£281m) ...in a long-awaited conclusion to the billionaire's fraud trial."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_and_business_legal_affairs_of_Donald_Trump
Before taking office: "involved in over 4,000 legal cases in U.S. federal and state courts, including battles with casino patrons, million-dollar real estate lawsuits, personal defamation lawsuits, and over 100 business tax disputes.[1] He has also been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault, with one accusation resulting in Trump being held liable"
Even 24 of his own Republican past top White House appointees have been quoted as essentially saying he has contempt for the rule of law and is unfit for office.
I can provide all their quotes if anyone thinks he deserves more attention.
Putinrump is the kind of guy only a MRGA troll would admire.
The situation with Trump and the US, is much more complex than you appear to perceive. I understand that Ukraine is suffering beyond comprehension, at the hands of the Russians, while being held back by America's hesitation to supply Ukraine with what it needs. From the opinion of many in the US, we are broke and about to collapse and turn against ourselves, from years of accumulated debt and moral subterfuge. There are many here who believe that we cannot continue to supply Ukraine, for that reason. ie. if we continue to spend, we lose our own country; if we don't continue to spend, we lose Ukraine - a horrible situation. I am happy that Europe is stepping up, but they too have depended on US largesse, while suffering in their own military capabilities. Trump is not witless; he did many good things for the US, and kept the World largely at peace, despite his NY personality. I understand why Ukrainians don't like him, but perhaps you can understand why many US citizens despise Biden more - He cares nothing about this country, and is allowing it to be illegally invaded by military aged Chinese, across our borders. He is "owned" by the Chinese, who have made him and his family wealthy, under the table. I wish we could be there for you, and perhaps there is a way. Truly God is the one resource for us all. God save us!
@Bob, Well finally a MRGA post that almost made me think....but then it went off the crazy end in absolving putinrump and condemning Biden for all that is wrong. predictable MRGA crap.
Under putinrump:
1. The US economy lost 2.9 million jobs. Unemployment increased by 1.6%.
2. The U.S. trade deficit was the highest since 2008 and had increased 40.5% from his election in 2016. MAGA hats made in china.
3. Americans lacking health insurance rose by 3 million
4. The federal debt rose 50% from $14.4 trillion to $21.6 trillion.
5. Home prices rose 27.5%,
6. Illegal immigration increased. Obama deported 3.4 million more.
7. Handgun production rose 12.5%.
8. Murder rate rose 1.1% to the highest level since 1997.
9. Economic growth slowed 3.4 %.
10. 154,000 Manufacturing jobs were lost.
11. Inflation went up 7.4%.
12. Oil production went up 27% albeit it remains 500K barrels a day less then currently under Biden,
13. The USA had the 18th highest per capita covid deaths in the world. Canada had 88th highest death rate
14. Trump filled 33% of Supreme Court; 30% of the appellate court; and 25% of District Court seats with his MRGA cronies. Some help shelter him from the law, and take away USA rights.
16. He spread debunked election lies and fomented an insurrection to overthrow the legal USA goverment. Fortunately his VP Mike Pence had his own balls and stopped the presidential vote certification fraud putinrumps balls wanted.
@John, you almost thought?? What a joke since you are an imbecile who does not think at all. Back to school on Monday little Johnny, be a good boy now.
@Bob Boomhauer, Given rump's busy criminal legal life he has fortunately hired other experts to handle foreign policy, national security ...etc. So lets see what his former cronies have to say about him:
1. His vice president, Mike Pence: “The American people deserve to know that President Trump asked me to put him over my oath to the Constitution. … Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”
2. His second attorney general, Bill Barr: “Someone who engaged in that kind of bullying about a process that is fundamental to our system and to our self-government shouldn’t be anywhere near the Oval Office.”
3. His first secretary of defense, James Mattis: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people – does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us.”
4. His second secretary of defense, Mark Esper: “I think he’s unfit for office. … He puts himself before country. His actions are all about him and not about the country. And then, of course, I believe he has integrity and character issues as well.”
5. His chairman of the joint chiefs, retired Gen. Mark Milley, seemed to invoke Trump: “We don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator. We take an oath to the Constitution and we take an oath to the idea that is America – and we’re willing to die to protect it.”
-----To be continued————
@MRGA troll Bob Boomhauer,
So after you state Biden is the devil and Ukraine should bend over and take it from putin with out US help you end with:
"Truly God is the one resource for us all. God save us!"
Sounds like you are channeling your inner Patriarch Kirill on that post.....our does troll 'bob' get to wear former troll "Thoughlife.god"s souled underwear these days?
You seem quite emotionally bothered by my many factual posts troll 'Bob'. I'm sorry I can't throw folks a bone regarding anything positive to about putinrump. It would just not be factually accurate to post such things.
I know you feel you are smarter than putinrump and would not have hired the same senior White House staff he did ....that all subsequently turned on him calling him essentially an idiot or traitor. Did you need quotes again? They are both scary and hilarious!
Maybe if you can catch a flight out of russia putinrump will retain you as a more loyal servant....Someone will need to meet his conjugal visit needs .
@John, great to see you listing wiki crap, confirms you can’t think on your own, which is no surprise, enjoy your day at school little Johnny
@Bob Boomhauer, I heard putin was able to condense all the internets wealth of knowledge into only 10 MRGA trolls speaking points. As putinrump adoringly says about putin "This is genius" .
Of course putinrump also praised putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saying:
“I’d say that’s pretty smart. He’s taking over a country – really a vast, vast location, a great piece of land with a lot of people, and just walking right in.”
and while on that topic some more praise for his Russian BFF:
‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine – of Ukraine. Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful.”
Uhhmmm....why were you on a Ukraine supporting website pushing putinrump for president again bob?
@John, How did I condemn Biden for "all that is wrong?" I simply mentioned his open border policy and that he cares little about this country. Had you progressed beyond "almost" thinking, you might have realized that. I also mentioned that the big guy is owned by the Chicoms. I didn't want Trump for President, but he won, and I was able to get past my abhorrence of his behavior, and realize that (unlike most politicians - Biden included) he ended up telling the truth most of the time - What a novel concept. Because I disagree with you, does that make me a troll or some other derogatory thing? So Biden and Myorkis (sp?) and other folks can look us in the eye and tell us our borders are not open, is ok, and all they need is more money, when all they have to do is re-establish the trump policy of remain in Mexico until your case is heard ? Can we explore differing ideas without insulting each other?
@Bob, Let's see you came all the way here to this Pro-Ukraine supporting website to say the US should not aid Ukraine. If you were not a MRGA troll, putinrump allegiance to putin would be extremely worrying.
After criminal putinrump's 17 historically irregular private meetings with putin they probably already worked out how the US would let Ukraine fall to russia. No other US president has ever met privately alone with an enemy. He was also impeached twice for his nefarious russia tied activities. He breaks USA laws regularly and divides its people. Putting aside his congenital lying, under his sabotage the USA economy and people have suffered (see below).
The source of democratic decay remains mostly putin's meddling. His regime must fall if democracy is to flourish. Supporting Ukraine is the best way to make it fall.
Fortunately Biden has provided whatever US funding had been readily available to aid Ukraine. He aligned allies which putintrump tried to divide. More and better weapons are needed, but putinrump's MRGA minions stall it. Their excuses about border security all debunked.
So then the MRGA trolls try to sell that the EU is not doing enough.....even though EU support now exceeds US >3 times.
Putin has worked for decades to undermine the USA. If putinrump gets elected a second time putin has won.
@John, I can't stand Putin; I'm pro Ukraine. I expressed the conundrum of spending in ways that will sink our own ship. I don't want to withhold from Ukraine, but I'm trying to understand how we can avoid spending ourselves into oblivion, while helping Ukraine. All the narrow "either-or" positions and name calling is ridiculous.
@Bob, don’t waste your time trying to reason with the stupid Troll John from Canada. A total lunatic who for some reason believes he/she/it has all the answers.
@JP, Thats so sweet....one troll patting the other on its back as it whines that no one on a Ukraine supporting cite will buy the crap they sow about putinrump is the best president.
Admittedly thats a hard sell as putinrump is a renown congenitally lying, indicted criminal, sex offender with 4091 lawsuits, who now hypocritically even hocks lawsuit bibles to pay for his legal fees. Twenty four of his own past top White House appointees say he is either an idiot, unethical or the biggest threat to democracy,
but I get it ...sometimes at those emotionally charged (factually absent) MRGA rallies it's just love at first sight.
Regardless, its very decent of you two trolls to console each other. Just don't get too emotionally / physically close though. Putins LGBQT laws are pretty punitive in russia.
Mike Johnson forked tongue, one part licks Trump's ass, the other part licks Putin's ass. 🤮🤮🤮