He is a very talented statesman. He has lots of gifts,” Pompeo told Fox News in January. “He was a KGB agent, for goodness sakes. He knows how to use power. We should respect that.”
Pompeo has targeted Biden as exemplifying “enormous weakness,” leading “an America on its back, an America that apologizes.” He asserts that Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and response to a ransomware hack of the Colonial pipeline last year contributed to Putin’s confidence.
Putin is “very shrewd. Very capable,” Pompeo said in another recent interview with the Center for the National Interest. “I have enormous respect for him – I’ve been criticized for saying that.”
Here is Pompeo in his own words lauding, admiring, even calling Putin "an elegantly sophisticated counterpart WHO IS NOT RECKLESS..."
There are people out there in the blogsphere who deliberately lie about this incontrovertible fact: Mike Pompeo praised and admired Putin.
What he said after the fact, after Putin began is bloody invasion of Ukraine, amounts to nothing more than backtracking and a desperate CYA operation, but what he really thinks about Putin is on record forever:
22 comments:
I've read those people who try to erase what we can see and hear with our eyes. Don't let them do it!
The last and possibly future (God help us) Republican president, who speaks for the vast majority of those on the right, is about as pro-Putin and anti-Ukraine as they come, calling the former a "genius" as recently as last week, and suffering impeachment for corruptly withholding military aid to the latter.
I remind people to keep those who would falsify history from getting away with it.
Vladimir Putin and his immoral apologists: Donald Trump, Mike Pompeo, Tucker Carlson, and Fox News.
The Party of Putin is scrambling to whitewash their fealty to Putin and their dependence on Russian/NRA money.
I don't think there will be sales bump of those "I'd rather be Russian than a Democrat" t-shirts.
lately I'm thinking Putin gave Trump his marching orders in Helsinki. The world saw the Big MAGAt stand with bowed head, siding with Putin against our intelligence agencies.
It's not a stretch to assume more instructions were given in their secret meetings.
Putin likely told Trump to:
Let him have Ukraine.
Extort Ukraine to support his reelection.
Blame Ukraine instead of Russia for interfering in the 2016 election.
And to NEVER admit to losing the 2020 election. This had to be Putin's favorite tool to destabilize or cripple American democracy.
And even psaki admitted that the last time russia invaded the Ukraine was when joe was VP under the swell guy. Is it a coincidence they wait till joey is president to do it again. Maybe that says putin has a great deal of contempt for the current administration and knows they won't do anything except follow the European countries.
It is not a stretch to assume hunter's cash stream suddenly came tumbling down.
I agree dube, support for anything russian is not in favor, except buying their oil to support their war.
Why even listen to idiots like this?
It's amazing (not really) how the right-wingers will just forget what was said before and hop on the newest and latest bandwagon.
skud,
John Bolton: Putin was 'waiting' for possible US withdrawal from NATO
Former national security adviser John Bolton said on Friday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin was “waiting” for a possible United States withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), claiming former President Trump would have likely made such a move had he been reelected.
When Trump lost, Putin had to take Ukraine, since he no longer had an ally in the White House. Remember Helsinki when Trump took the word of a bloody dictator, Putin, over his own Intel?
Yeah. We do. Remember the private meeting between Putin and Trump and after Trump got rid of the interpreter's notes? What did Trump promise Putin then?
We remember; and now that John Bolton has spoken, we understand why Putin did what he did.
Putin no longer had his puppet in the White House.
One has to wonder if tRump & putin are strategizing putin's next move. Perhaps tRump will rule Ukraine (as putin's puppet) after the murderous putin destroys the country and gets rid of all those not suportive of his inhumanity. tRump would make a perfect fit for the job.
There goes skud on his runaway horse, the Gish Gallop. Whoa baby whoa! Let me help you skud by getting grip on your reins.
You said: "And even psaki admitted that the last time russia invaded the Ukraine was when joe was VP under the swell guy."
Admitted, like she admitted to telling a lie? No! She acknowledged historical fact that Putin invaded during the Obama administration, specifically February 2014. Your use of language is sloppy, or did you intend to slime one of the GOAT press secretaries. Ever.
skud said; "Is it a coincidence they wait till joey is president to do it again."
No. Putin invaded now because he thought NATO was fragmented and believed he could get away with a quick take over. That hasn't happened. In fact Putin is now claiming he isn't bombing Ukraine, that reports of shelling are "Fake News". Seriously. It's like the extremists get a spread sheet of approved phrases and everyone in the bubble uses them to ensure they are all on the 'same page'
skud said: "Maybe that says putin has a great deal of contempt for the current administration and knows they won't do anything except follow the European countries."
Do you know what happens if Russia and the USA directly exchange blows skud? Does your imagination which conjures up all your 'just asking' questions think about such things? Well I do all the time and if the USA and Russia went toe to toe.... well, it wouldn't matter who won because all the world would lose in that case. Nuclear winter will make climate change seem easy. So yeah, keep thinking that President Biden should bully his way to the front of the crowd to directly fight Putin. Honestly, it takes strength and courage to lead from behind. That's not me, that's Sun Tzu (paraphrased obvs).
skud says: "It is not a stretch to assume hunter's cash stream suddenly came tumbling down."
See? You do have an imagination.
When Democrats start invoking John Bolton, look out! That's a scary and dangerous combo.
Is it worth risking world war to stop the slaughter of people halfway across the world? Americas answer to that question in 1939 (a non-nuclear time) was no. Of course, we were dragged into that conflict after we were attacked. Our involvement in that conflict was inevitable. We had no choice. We ended that conflict by starting the nuclear war age. To date, America is the only country to use nuclear weapons on another country and its civilian population.
Depending on how blood thirsty Putin is, he may leave us no choice but to become involved in this conflict either. That decision has already been made by Americas agreement to article 5 of the NATO agreements.
History tells us that these kinds of murderous tyrants have to be stopped by force. Will Putin stop at Ukraine? He has already told us no. He has further ambitions. Do we stop him now and try to save innocent civilians, or do we sit back, and hope Putin will stop at Ukraine?
It seems Biden's decision is the same as Trump's decision would be - let Putin have Ukraine. Only history will tell if that is the right decision. Thank God it's not my decision. Avoiding nuclear war should be our priority, even if many innocent people have to die, but will it stop there? I doubt it.
skud proving once again there really are human bots. The new GQP welcomes his suport. As does putin no doubt.
Grey One... Nice rebuttal.
But you left out Skud's uninformed remark about the US financing the war through oil purchases.
It's a common trope Skud, along with Biden ended US energy independence. The US imports about 250K barrels of oil annually from Russia. That amounts to a little less than 1.5% of, wait for it, one days oil usage in the US. That represents about 25 million bucks in total usage. Hardly an amount that will finance a war.
BTW, if you are going to say any money going to Russia is money that is financing the war, like your petty little one case of voter fraud proves Trump was right BS, then before trotting it out, please show where you were critical of the Trump Admin for buying oil from Russia too.
Because we could probably agree that US purchases made under Trump enabled Putin to plan and prepare for war.
That pretty much destroys skud's premises. But skud, like most goppers & tRump does not care a whit about truth. He, as well as they, care only about supporting their fantastical delusions with mostly BS.
Rev, So 250K barrels of oil is insignificant then I guess what the administration is going to release from the strategic oil reserves is a joke. If it is a one day or one hour supply it is still revenue for putin.
No one wants to go to war especially against a deranged dictator who still has control of his people. We should have started sending weapons earlier and we should have taken the lead on sanctions but we followed along. Biden doesn't have a very good track record on making any decisions and according to robert gates he has been wrong on nearly every foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.
Reve, You speak more of trump than I ever did and if you feel that makes biden look competent, go for it.
As Russia, under Putin, murders innocent civilians trying to flee and trying to survive the onslaught, it is hard t believe we have not heard a word of scorn from Former President News. Russia is killing journalists, committing war crimes, targeting civilians and looking completely like the old USSR that rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1968.
At least then, our country spoke with one voice. Everyone in politics condemned the actions of Brezhnev and the Soviets.
How has the US changed?
It's not just former Trump Admin officials and their backers on Capitol Hill and in the media. It's the everyday Trump voter who simply will not condemn Trump's words, are defending and admiring of Putin and refuse to simply say enough... It is wrong for a Former US President to voice any level of support or admiration for war criminals, killers and invaders.
You have to ask why...
Returning to a theme as the US considers a ban on Russian oil imports in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Fact... Russia supplies about 10% of the world's crude oil and energy. If the west bans that resource, we will need to find a way to make up the short fall.
Fact... and this will be difficult for the Skud's of the world and travelers on the mothership to grasp but...
The US is now, for the first time since the 1940's, a net energy [oil, gas, etc] exporter. 100% energy independent. Not during the Bush Admin, not during the Obama Admin, not during the Trump Admin. During the Biden Admin.
Per Steve Rattner and backed up as always with charts, graphs and data.
Let's all take a moment and let those two realities sink in. And wait for conservatives to say Thanks Pres. Biden for getting the US to energy independence.
Rev, If what you say is true and the US is an exporter why are prices so high and biden asking the middle East to supply more oil. If what you say is true why do we need to import any oil especially from russia. Why was one of the administrations first actions to shut down a pipeline in the US and approve one for russia. If what you say is true why would we face a shortfall by banning importing russian oil.
Some how your facts seem to conflict with each other.
Why has the administration not placed any sanctions on china and why do they call this putin's war but the virus was not china's.
I won't go so far as thanking biden for punishing the poor with the inflation tax and the massive run up in gas prices.
Dave, sharing is caring. Couldn't keep all the galloping horses for myself. That would be selfish. :P
Speaking of galloping, skud, where on earth did your comment on sanctions on China come from? Because they are helping Russia? Because they knew of Putin's plans months ago? Easy! The horses you rode in on can't take that kind of sudden change and deflection. Makes the critters believe you don't know what you are doing (stage whisper - you don't).
Here is more fact checking -
The Keystone Pipeline was closed for myriad reasons, the one I'm most attached to is the fact that the pipeline traversed waterways of First Nations. No! This is not acceptable and I'm glad the project was cancelled. You asked why without doing a shred of research. Are you really such a child?
skud, you asked "why do they call this putin's war but the virus was not china's."
It's called Putin's war because Putin invaded a sovereign nation that did not pose a threat to him or his country. Putin did that. No one pressured him. He did it. His people fired on civilians and during cease fire negotiations his people agreed to no fire evacuation corridors and then fired on innocent civilians in those corridors he said were safe. His teams fired on the journalists bringing news of his atrocities to the world. Families wiped out, humans who were just trying to get out of the way. Putin did this. That's why this is called Putin's war.
COVID-19 was not called the China virus because of the stigma attached to previous pandemic naming conventions (i.e. the Spanish Flu which wasn't from Spain). In the spirit of ethical behavior healthcare specialists around the globe decided the naming of a virus would be scientific and not regional.
Inflation could have been addressed with the legislation President Biden wanted passed except the GQP and a couple of traitors to the Democratic Party decided their need to 'own the libs' was more important than their constituents. Doesn't help when our corporate overlords said the quiet part out loud when they stated they don't leave money on the table, meaning they raise prices until demand slows down, meaning they charge more because they can get more. It's greed, plain and simple.
Hope that clears up a few things for you skud. I'm here to help since you haven't the curiosity nor intellect to fight your way out of a wet paper bag.
**Regarding the American use of oil, wouldn't this be a grand time to end our dependence on an energy source linked directly to climate change? I ask because there has been some chatter amongst climate scientists about the tipping point - that magical moment when humans can do something to reverse the runaway heating of the planet. The establishment folk are all sticking with the party line - that there is still time for humans to DO something. The more maverick folk say that the tipping point is no longer in front of us but behind us and we'd better strap in because it's going to get bumpy.
I'm backing the mavericks because they are the ones leading with "Hmm, this is odd".
Grey One talks sass
Excellent post! Thank you for your explanation to skudrunner.
Some days I just don't have time. On Mondays and when needed, I volunteer at a goat farm a few miles west of Boston, where I and other volunteers milk and care for the goats. Right now 5 does are preggers and are due to give birth any day. We could have up to 10-15 kids between now and the end of the month. Chaos!
Those kids will need to be bottle fed with their mothers' milk and then eventually weaned off mothers' milk to formula. Last year, one of the pregnant does gave birth, unattended, in the night and 2 of her 3 kids didn't make it. So we're being vigilant, watching for signs of the mothers' labors.
The goat farm produces milk, yogurt, yogurt drink, and fromage blanc that is sold in boutique farm stands and small produce stores around the area. And sometimes we volunteers get to take home some of those goodies.
In case skudrunner is interested, I found another explanation of our energy status. It's not a soundbite, and it takes some time to read and digest, but it's informative:
Is The U.S. Energy Independent?
Thanks for your comment! Hope you're doing well.
We get 3% of our crude oil from Russia. We refine 1%. Oil prices are not driven by what we get from Russia. They are driven by the greed of oil companies!!
Ms. Shaw, I read that article before and what it points out is if you change the definition you can adjust the facts to whatever, kind of what is, is. This article was written in November and a lot has changed since then. There still is not an explanation given why, if we are energy independent, do we need russian oil and why is the administration trying to get oil from Venezuela and Iran. Those two countries are not friendly to the US, have horrible regimes and human rights issues.
Grey Beard is being very naive about giving up dependence on oil. If you live in the colonies you can do that but try to drive 500 miles in a tesla or haul good across the country. Tough to do in an electric semi. If we want to cut emissions why not demand every car be diesel which has lower co2 emissions that gas and more fuel efficient. The Keystone was cancelled for political reason not because it transverses any waterway. If you did research you would find there are miles of pipeline already trans versing that area. If the started the Keystone today it wouldn't have any effect for years. Better to transport over the road using electric semi's that don't exist.
No matter what, we can be assured that joey and cruella will make the right choice in the handling of russia. Look how great they have done with the border, inflation, gas prices and crime. Biden was not elected to lead he was elected to defeat trump. Trump won not because he was good but because his opponent was horrible. We have a habit of selecting our leaders from the who is worse selection list.
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