[FRIAM] Back at the ranch, I'm enjoying the popcorn.

[steve smith]

> It's way too generous to say "Trump has a case". Trump and Vance's 
> "case" consists of "You should be grateful to us because we give you 
> money". I.e. suck up to me and I'll deign to give you more money.
I don't think Trump or Vance have backed any significant support for 
Ukraine.   The US people through our elected representatives and tax 
dollars *HAVE* supported Ukraine (albeit a little slowly an a little 
anemically and a little timidly sometimes?).   Zelensky has been 
extravagantly and eloquently thankful to all of the above.  Trump and 
Vance were spoiling for an opportunity to try to humiliate Zelensky in 
front of the cameras, so they contrived it.
> Maybe someone makes the case you say is Trump's. But it's not Trump 
> making that case. If he sporadically vomits words that sound like 
> that, it's because they were put into his mouth by someone else. The 
> question is Who put them there? Putin? Elno? Thiel?

The "raw earth" (sic Trump) deal was extortion.   Whether Ukraine's 
mineral resources could or should be mortgaged to secure the financial 
support is one thing, but the idea that the point of the West supporting 
Ukraine against the hyper-aggressive Putin-led Russia is about economics 
completely misses the point.   Zelensky is right to avoid "doing 
business with" anyone who is not a clear staunch ally when in this 
situation.

Trump & Allies are clearly "War Profiteers", a fine old tradition among 
the industrialists and financiers of the "free world".


>
> On 3/2/25 7:42 PM, Pieter Steenekamp wrote:
>> Just watched a new episode where two toddlers threw their toys out of 
>> the cot.
>>
>> Zelensky makes a strong case — Putin is unreliable, having broken 
>> numerous agreements in the past, so any peace deal would need 
>> ironclad security guarantees. But lecturing Trump is hardly the way 
>> to secure a favorable minerals trade agreement.
>>
>> Trump also has a valid case — the war is stagnating, there’s no 
>> realistic military path to driving Russia out of Ukraine, and 
>> pursuing peace makes sense. But losing your temper at an 
>> international press conference is not the way to get there.
>>
>> At the end of the day, they’re all human, and it makes for great 
>> real-life drama. I can't wait for the next episode!
>>
>
>
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