Authored by Patrick Buchanan via Buchanan.org,
Asked what he did during the French Revolution, Abbe Sieyes replied, “I survived.”
Donald Trump can make the same boast.
No other political figure has so dominated our discourse. And none, not Joe McCarthy in his heyday in the early ’50s, nor Richard Nixon in Watergate, received such intensive and intemperate coverage and commentary as has our 45th president.
Whatever one may think of Trump, he is a leader and a fighter, not a quitter. How many politicians could have sustained the beatings Trump has taken, and remained as cocky and confident?
And looking back on what may fairly be called The Year of Trump, his achievements have surprised even some of his enemies.
With the U.S. military given a freer hand by Trump, a U.S.-led coalition helped expel ISIS from its twin capitals of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, driving it back into a desert enclave on the Iraq-Syria border. The caliphate is dead, and the caliph nowhere to be found.
The economy, with the boot of Barack Obama off its neck, has been growing at 3 percent. The stock market has soared to record highs. Unemployment is down to 4 percent. And Trump and Congress just passed the largest tax cut since Ronald Reagan.
With deregulation, which conservative Republicans preached to deaf ears in the Bush I and Bush II eras, Trump and those he has put into positions of power have exceeded expectations.
Pipelines Obama blocked have been approved. Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge has been opened to exploratory drilling. We have exited a Paris climate accord that favored China over the U.S.
Though Beijing’s trade surplus with us is returning to record highs, a spirit of “America First” economic nationalism is pervasive among U.S. trade negotiators,
The one justice named to the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, appears in the Antonin Scalia tradition. And under Chairman Chuck Grassley, the Senate judiciary committee is moving conservatives and strict constructionists onto U.S. appellate and district courts.
Politically, however, the year brought bad news, with portents of worse to come. In November, the Republican Party was thrashed in Virginia, losing all state offices, and then lost a Senate seat in Alabama.
Given polls showing Trump under water and the GOP running 10 points behind the Democratic Party in favorability, there is a possibility the GOP could lose the House in 2018.
And though Democrats have three times as many seats at risk in 2018, the GOP losing the Senate is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Should that happen, the conservative dream of a recapture of the U.S. Supreme Court could swiftly vanish.
Recall: Democratic Senates turned down two Nixon nominees and Reagan’s nomination of Robert Bork, forcing both presidents to name justices who evolved into moderates and liberals on the high court.
But it is in the realm of foreign policy where the real perils seem to lie ahead. President Trump has been persuaded by his national security team to send Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, for use against the tanks and armor of pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Should Petro Poroshenko’s Kiev regime reignite the war in his breakaway provinces bordering Russia, Vladimir Putin is less likely to let him crush the rebels than to intervene with superior forces and rout the Ukrainian army.
Trump’s choice then? Accept defeat and humiliation for our “ally” — or escalate and widen the conflict with Russia.
Putin’s interest in the Donbass, a part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union for centuries, is obvious.
What, exactly, is ours — to justify a showdown with Moscow?
In this city there is also a powerful propaganda push to have this country tear up the nuclear deal John Kerry negotiated with Iran, and confront the Iranians in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and the Persian Gulf.
But how much backing would Trump have for another U.S. war in that blood-soaked region, after Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria?
Who would stand with us, and for how long?
When Trump declared Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel and pledged to move our embassy there, we had to veto a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution condemning us. Then the General Assembly denounced the U.S. in a resolution supported by all our key NATO allies, Russia and China, and every Arab and Muslim nation.
A day later, Trump complained on Twitter that we have “foolishly spent $7 trillion in the Middle East.”
What then would justify a new $1 or $2 trillion war with the largest nation on the Persian Gulf, which could send oil to $200 a barrel and sink the global economy?
Cui bono? For whose benefit all these wars?
The Korean War finished Truman. Vietnam finished LBJ. Reagan said putting Marines into Lebanon was his worst mistake. Iraq cost Bush II both houses of Congress and his party the presidency in 2008.
Should Trump become a war president, he’ll likely become a one-term president.
Comments
Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"...Big Time
Off topic-sorta: this is from a friend I have known for 30 years. His response to a news article i sent him on violence at a New Jersey Mall
"
We are witnessing the decline of the great American empire.
We are heading back to beautiful, safe Zürich now after visiting family in Houston and Chicago (two cities long past their prime). Houston not as bad but it seems even our part of town in the NW suburbs is less safe now.
First time back to US in 18 months for me and the first thing I noticed is the anger and aggression from everyone. Switzerland is soulless but peaceful. I miss it now.
Wishing you guys a happy New Year"
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
U.S. is full of niggers though, media 24/7 blaming whitey and donald trump for their poverty and the "russians stealing the presidency". Full retard jew media.
Time to fire up the ovens.
In reply to Off topic-sorta: this is… by GatorMcClusky
USSA Inc a Roth$child LLC is Trayvon and Moshe land.
Dumb white males worship ball playing Trayvons in the NFL, NBA and NCAA.
In reply to U.S. is full of niggers… by Intelligence_I…
Trump RECENTLY met with the devil, Netanyahoo of Israhell, and got his marching orders to finally SET THE MIDDLE EAST ON FIRE. http://wp.me/p4OZ4v-2g9
In reply to USSA Inc a Roth$child LLC is… by Freddie
"With the U.S. military given a freer hand by Trump, a U.S.-led coalition helped expel ISIS from its twin capitals of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, driving it back into a desert enclave on the Iraq-Syria border. The caliphate is dead, and the caliph nowhere to be found."
Really? With all the evidence that the US has been arming, training, and aiding ISIS, Pat writes this revisionist propaganda??
In reply to Trump RECENTLY met with the… by bobcatz
Yeah sure like Goerges Dub ... oh but w8 !
In reply to "With the U.S. military… by skbull44
Yeah, normally I agree with Pat on most things but that statement had me shaking my head.
In reply to "With the U.S. military… by skbull44
Unless the first part of Pat’s article is somewhat tounge and cheek, I do not agree that the economy is doing well for the vast majority of citizens, particularly those who lack a spousal income or the following monthly and tax-time welfare supplements: free or subsidized rent, free EBT groceries, free electricity, nearly free Headstaet. monthly cash assistance and refundable child tax credits between $3,468 and $6,444.
One-hundred-percent-free-and-non-contributory welfare is what is is keeping up a large part of the population, specifically those who have sex and reproduce out of wedlock, with 42 million still on EBT long after the Trump victory.
The jobs are mostly part time, temporary, high turnover, 1099 gigs and low-wage fare that will not cover rent that takes more than half your pay if you are not being paid by government to have sex and reproduce, as a citizen or an immigrant with US-born kids and traceable income below the income limit for welfare.
This was the case all through Clinton, all through Bush, all through Obama and now through Trump. The public relations tactic of selling the status quo as a boon in jobs, is not working with the voters, especially since Trump promised to end the welfare party for the illegal immigrants, pouring in here, working for a pittance and getting their major household bills paid by taxpayers, more with each birth on US soil.
That is why Deplorable turnout was in the trash can for Moore. The same is true of Virginia, although it is not a deep-red state and is full of well-vacationed assortative mates, with two high government salaries. Trump just gave the parents among then a tax cut to finance more home renovations and babyvacations to Europe while upping the refundable child tax credits for the part-time-work-plus-monthly-welfare crowd.
The child tax checks for max womb productivity are already at $6,444. Will they be doubled to $12,888, equaling more than half a year’s wages for citizen parents, immigrant parents and illegal alien parents, with individual citizens surviving on earned-only income competing with all these welfare-supported workers?
It is the bad economy, and the way that relates to mass, welfare-buttressed immigration, that is reducing turnout for Republicans. But it is also antithetical to what Trump voters wanted to get into more costly foreign wars.
Tax receipts are down because the much-ballyhooed jobs are not substantial jobs, and many of the immigrants are working under-the-table. The country is trillions in debt, yet the rich just granted themselves a tax cut, not contingent on creating jobs in the US, with more refundable tax welfare for citizens and immigrants who have more kids than they can afford to feed.
In reply to Yeah, normally I agree with… by Squidward_Tentacles
Hey Bob, do these dudes publish anything new???
In reply to Trump RECENTLY met with the… by bobcatz
Well white Texans worship their Trayvon football and basketball thugs. Also their Mexicans are "good" Mexicans not like Calif Mexicans. Whites in America are Trayvon ball thug cucksters. Even idiots on message boards say the college Trayvons are what they watch.
Maybe the Austrians will get fed up as they were invaded and almost lost Vienna twice.
In reply to Off topic-sorta: this is… by GatorMcClusky
Freddie, you're a fucking maniac with your anti: white, negro sportsball worshipper rants.
...but you're right, I'll give you that.
In reply to Well white Texans worship… by Freddie
Pat, of late, they're all War Presidents, excepting Jimmah Cartah, who ironically was a One Term President.
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sheeit yeah. The average Boobus Americanus loves war and worships the military.
In reply to Pat, of late, they're all… by Normalcy Bias
The disaster of the attempted Iran hostage rescue did Carter in. That and the fact that he appeared impotent while Iran was holding U.S. embassy personnel.
Then there was discussing nuclear war with Amy. That and believing that oil was all but gone and putting a sweater on.
Jimmy should have stuck to governor. Presidency was WAY over his head.
In reply to Pat, of late, they're all… by Normalcy Bias
Yeah, and Dubya said war is good for the prezinitzing bidniss.
In reply to Pat, of late, they're all… by Normalcy Bias
And the country is not any safer for it, either.
In reply to Pat, of late, they're all… by Normalcy Bias
Buch is right, a war cancels all the positive stuff he's done and paves the way back for the dems (Like one Ah Shit cancels out a thousand attaboys).
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
Buch is right, a war cancels all the positive stuff he's done and paves the way back for the dems (Like one Ah Shit cancels out a thousand attaboys).
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
Fuck off fag boy
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
Triumphs?
In reply to Damn,Buc,You a "Holster"… by RawPawg
Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"...Big Time
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
Sorry for repost
Damn ZH,and their Software Updates
In reply to Damn,Buc,You A "Holster"… by RawPawg
well, that escalated quickly
In reply to Sorry for repost… by RawPawg
The president of the United States is not well:
"Virtually every Democrat has said there is no collusion. There is no collusion. And even these committees that have been set up. If you look at what’s going on — and in fact, what it’s done is, it’s really angered the base and made the base stronger. My base is stronger than it’s ever been. Great congressmen, in particular, some of the congressmen have been unbelievable in pointing out what a witch hunt the whole thing is. So, I think it’s been proven that there is no collusion."
No collusion.
You're delusional though.
In reply to The president of the United… by Cassandra.Hermes
Trump is a master of manipulation of cognitive bias. There isn't a single statement he makes that you could hold his feet to the fire on. The issue simply is: you aren't the target audience. Define "virtually." Define "the base." Define "some of the congressmen."
Any response you manifest is speculation. And that is the glory of appealing to undefined language. You determine what is being said based on your emotions, and you are an emotional turd squeezing fuckwit.
In reply to The president of the United… by Cassandra.Hermes
Expelled ISIS from Raqqa & Mosul and airlifted them to Jordan, Golan Heights and Afghanistan.
You may say i'm a dreamer but i'm not the only one . . .
Or in Joni Mitchell’s words - “ They don’t give peace a chance - It was just a dream - some of us had “
In reply to Expelled ISIS from Raqqa &… by WTFUD
JHFC "Triumphs"?...
Which ones are you speaking of?... Attempting to start a war with Russia in Syria in April with a "59 Tomahawk" salute... Or attempting to use the DPRK as hostage material for the "hard up" loan from Russia and China to get U.S. to the next BIS debt payment?!!!
If Trump willingly (or maybe un-willingly, since we are not party to what happens in the real seats of power) "leads" the US into a real conflict with NK (or maybe with Russia - via Novorussia), he may not only be a "one-term President", but perhaps the LAST President the US has, for some considerable time.
In reply to JHFC "Triumphs"?… by Son of Captain Nemo
As will the rest of US Par be serving our "last term" should he be successful on behalf of his Israeli "beneficiaries"!... Because of psychopathic treasonous fucker(s)(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAOyKRWDLHg) like this one that probably died with the worst pain coming from his ass as a "fart" instead of being skinned alive 16 years earlier by the rest of U.S. outside D.C.!
In reply to If Trump willingly (or maybe… by Parrotile
"..... a U.S.-led coalition helped expel ISIS from its twin capitals of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, driving it back into a desert enclave on the Iraq-Syria border. The caliphate is dead, and the caliph nowhere to be found."
Stopped reading right there.
Who writes this garbage?
Why is it on this site?
Right. The US is training them in east Syria right this very minute. its all over the internet.
In reply to "..... a U.S.-led coalition… by I reckon so
And ten thousand of them into Afghanistan, per RT.
Now you know why the US corrupters don't want us watching/reading RT.
US doesn't bother to hide that they FUND these fuckers too. And IsraHell and the House of SOD.
In reply to Right. The US is training… by indygo55
I'd be willing to bet that they did *drive* ISIS into the desert enclave (held by the US mil). They are nowhere to be found because they are being reinvented. Again. Just like how the groups would change names so they weren't on the list of those that couldn't be armed.
In reply to "..... a U.S.-led coalition… by I reckon so
Yes - as usual the Zio/US rescued their pet terrorists and left the people of Mosul and Raqqa for DEAD !!
Obliterated both cities - so they are FUCKING uninhabitable !!!
Why the FUCK are these not ‘War Crimes’ of the highest order ?????
In reply to "..... a U.S.-led coalition… by I reckon so
You ask "Who writes this garbage?"
Ron Paul and the Controlled Opposition this stuff. They are the Safety Valve for Flyover Country.
That way, they get to vent and still hold on to Hope. TPTB know that people in this demographic group are hope junkies, and use that -- as all con artists do.
In reply to "..... a U.S.-led coalition… by I reckon so
LOL he has dementia. Of course he doesnt know that hes a laughing stock.
To quote trump: "I stand for nothing."
How can you be a leader when you arnt moving anywhere?
sure the bone spur in chief draft dodging chicken hawk is a fighter. I just realized the trunptards are equal to the retards of jersey on jersey shore. i realize murhica is populated by jersey shore mentally challenged morons.
In reply to Whatever one may think of… by Theos
Ya got an anti trump hardon eh?
time to get cunty?
whomever was “elected” would be doing the same shit. It’s all controlled.
You must long for Clinton.
fuck off and prep bitch.
In reply to sure the bone spur in chief… by kalboking
"I saw Dianne Feinstein the other day on television saying there is no collusion."
here is Dianne interview:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/feinstein-senate-russia-…
You realize every person you quote has zero credibility and is a bought and paid for criminal, right?
In reply to "I saw Dianne Feinstein the… by Cassandra.Hermes
Yes I was quoting the president of USA or the pussygrabber whichever you prefer
In reply to You realize every person you… by Bigly
Pagination