*All – Page 41 – * Failed Pols

As Donald Trump continues to build an ever-expanding morass of lies and misrepresentations; and as he continues to name-call, bully, and hurl veiled threats at those who oppose (or hint at opposing) him, GOP lawmakers, along with Trump’s base, seem to support him with increasing and inexplicable fervor. Even in the face of an impeachment inquiry, as evidence of Trump’s abuse of office mounts and witness testimony corroborates the original whistleblower’s story, Donald Trump insists that he did nothing wrong, and Republican lawmakers, even with nothing to support their stance, back him up, disparaging anyone who disagrees.

One can only conclude that either the GOP lawmakers are just as corrupt as their leader, or, that they have found themselves in a position that makes them nervous about their own future if they don’t pay full allegiance to Trump.

It’s too painful to imagine that every last one of our Republican lawmakers is thoroughly corrupt, and only slightly less painful to imagine that this scenario is closer to the truth for many of them:

The rest of the world: Why do you stay with him? He’s lied, he’s cheated, he bullies you, he’s hit you more than once…..

GOP Lawmakers: None of that is true! Everything’s fine. It’s great.

The rest of the world: What are those bruises?

GOP Lawmakers: Oh, that was a misunderstanding. I shouldn’t have provoked him. Things are fine now.

The Rest of the world: You need to leave him.

GOP Lawmakers: But I need him! He just gets mad sometimes, that’s all. But when things are good, they’re really, really good.

The rest of the world: But don’t you see? He’s isolated you and the kids.

GOP Lawmakers: It doesn’t matter. He’s all we need.

The rest of the world: What about the example to the kids?

GOP Lawmakers: What do you mean? He’s a great example. Things are fine. Really. Trust me.

The rest of the world: Why do you keep defending him? Please leave him. You do owe it to yourself and the kids.

GOP Lawmakers: He didn’t mean it. Things are a little rough right now, but he’ll come through. He said he would. You don’t know him like I do.

The rest of the world: We can’t support this relationship. We’re here for you, but please don’t wait until it’s too late…

GOP Lawmakers: But I’m afraid. Where would I go? How would I support myself? What if I can’t make it on my own? ………. Oh, Just forget what I siad. I really shouldn’t be talking about him that way, he’s actually a really good guy. He just gets mad sometimes. He needs me. I need him. Really, I shouldn’t say bad things about him. Things are fine. They’re great. Really.

Top GOP lawmakers speak after House passes impeachment inquiry resolution | Fox News [2019-10-31]

Under pressure to defend Trump, GOP lawmakers decry House impeachment inquiry | PBS NewsHour [2019-10-24]

Donald Trump will undoubtedly use the death of Islamic State founder and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to his full political advantage, just short of concocting a description of how he himself singlehandedly assassinated Baghdadi. And while it is indeed a military victory to have eliminated the terrorist leader, we shouldn’t jump to the conclusions that the Islamic State is dead, let alone that Donald Trump is solely responsible for its demise. Nor should we conclude that, by getting rid of al-Baghdadi, this somehow exonerates Trump for withdrawing troops from Syria.

In fact, as a result of Trump’s recent decision to remove troops from Syria, his earlier decisions to reduce U.S. military presence in that part of the world, and his cuts in military funding for reconstruction and stabilization, security in that area has become tenuous, and this impacts not only the Middle East, but global and U.S. security.

Over the next few days and weeks, Trump is expected to proclaim ISIS has been obliterated, and terrorism wiped out. But because Baghdadi established a global presence with decentralized decision-making, eliminating Baghdadi himself may have little immediate effect on ground functions in Syria and Iraq.

According to Javed Ali, a former White House counterterrorism director, “No one expects (al-Baghdadi’s) death to spell the end of the organization that at its peak controlled territory the size of Great Britain and instigated terrorist attacks across Europe… In the annals of modern counterterrorism so far, what history has shown is these types of strikes do not lead to the strategic collapse or organizational defeat of a terrorism organization.”

The New York Times said that Trump’s decision to withdraw forces from northern Syria disrupted prior meticulous strategizing, forcing the Pentagon to press ahead with a raid before losing the ability to “control troops and spies and reconnaissance aircraft disappeared.” In other words, “Mr. al-Baghdadi’s death occurred largely in spite of Mr. Trump’s actions.”

Around the world, some news outlets have also speculated that Baghdadi’s death could result in large-scale retaliation. The Sun of London posted this headline: “Baghdadi’s death could trigger (a) wave of revenge attacks on US and Europe and spark ISIS 2.0, experts warn.”

What we can be certain of is that no matter what the results of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death, Donald Trump will spin them to his advantage, and his supporters will go along, unquestioningly.

Lindsey Graham praises Trump in death of ISIS leader |
Fox News [2019-10-27]

Donald Trump: Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ‘died like a dog’ |
The Telegraph [2019-10-27]

Category: *All

GOP Lawmakers: Corrupt, or Cowed?

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Assassinated In Spite of Donald Trump?