Only trump would claim he can solve a crisis which has been going on for thousands of years. So far, his track record isn’t great for handling conflict, so yeah, we’ll see…
Trump’s speech simply reaffirmed the status quo ante. Nothing new. How to reconcile the Saudi-based radical Sunni malevolence with our support of KSA was notably absent. He did include women in his speech at many turns which was a good thing, especially coming from him, considering his usual support for misogyny. And, fortunately, he never said the phrase “radical Islamic terrorist,” the omission of which he often accused Obama of. His references to Iran were like a blunt instrument (not as bad as Axis of Evil, though, to give him credit), but you cannot expect nuance from him. He made KSA’s leaders and Netanyahu happy, so that’s all that counts, I guess.
All in all, given the unusually low expectations for pathetic little trumpy’s statesmanship, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. Kudos are due to his speech writer and to trumpy for not screwing up the speech. But it was nothing new in terms of policy. 100% status quo ante.
Trump read a dumb little speech and played with the orb, and he curtseyed, and smiled while his family accepted a hundred grand from the exact same hands he condemned earlier.
Each time Trump goes into a brief Dr. Jekyll phase the Western world goes “whew” and hopes it lasts. It never will. The Mr. Hyde mode is what got him where he is. Even he might not fully realize that.
How about some ideas from an Arab commentator? It seems rare that any of us actually ask what concerned and educated Arabs who are not part of the power structures may have to say.
Thanks, Martins, for the helpful links. The phrase I think sums it up best about trump’s speech was Kouri’s statement: “About half of it is sensible. The other half is delusional, and the entire package in almost every instance repeats the consistently failed policies of the past three American administrations under Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama.”
As I said, status quo ante. I’ve traveled a lot in the region (which makes me only marginally qualified to opine) but my experiences would suggest it’s highly unlikely trump’s grand scheme will have one iota of success.
Remember, this is not really his speech—I doubt he has ever written a speech. He hasn’t got the temperament, attention span, or patience for it. This was a Tillerson – McMaster speech, obviously, it promoted the status quo ante. The important thing was trump was able to get through the entire speech without faltering. For him, that’s an accomplishment.
Well, I think President Trump did an excellent job of reading someone else’s speech off the teleprompter. No other president in history has ever done that.
97% of everything that comes out of his mouth is at least partly false, so I feel secure in assuming that anything he says is a lie, until it is confirmed by another person or event.
Is he planning to start collaborating with the Islamic world rather than spewing hate?Maybe, but the statistics make this doubtful.
A chance to accelerate, if not create more madness, and all the right can do is hide, lie and biatch. By the year 2000, much of the budget was under control, until we elected a Republican. We all had jobs, and money. W failed to support the people of this country and its been downhill ever since as Republicans spread their message, take money from the people and give it to the rich, they know how to treat money. Republicans have been screwing up this country ever since. but lets go back to the 70’s to make up something right inventerl?
Traitor in chief wants to stir things up and maybe start a little war somewhere to take our minds off his problems at home. It won’t work. The GOP needs to get a grip and let go of trump or they will pay. For now, they are all in cahoots with trump, not a good strategy.
Darsan54 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Well, here’s something to unite them.
montessoriteacher almost 7 years ago
Only trump would claim he can solve a crisis which has been going on for thousands of years. So far, his track record isn’t great for handling conflict, so yeah, we’ll see…
twclix almost 7 years ago
Trump’s speech simply reaffirmed the status quo ante. Nothing new. How to reconcile the Saudi-based radical Sunni malevolence with our support of KSA was notably absent. He did include women in his speech at many turns which was a good thing, especially coming from him, considering his usual support for misogyny. And, fortunately, he never said the phrase “radical Islamic terrorist,” the omission of which he often accused Obama of. His references to Iran were like a blunt instrument (not as bad as Axis of Evil, though, to give him credit), but you cannot expect nuance from him. He made KSA’s leaders and Netanyahu happy, so that’s all that counts, I guess.
All in all, given the unusually low expectations for pathetic little trumpy’s statesmanship, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. Kudos are due to his speech writer and to trumpy for not screwing up the speech. But it was nothing new in terms of policy. 100% status quo ante.
Coulda been a lot worse…
Kip W almost 7 years ago
Trump read a dumb little speech and played with the orb, and he curtseyed, and smiled while his family accepted a hundred grand from the exact same hands he condemned earlier.
Single standard.
emptc12 almost 7 years ago
Each time Trump goes into a brief Dr. Jekyll phase the Western world goes “whew” and hopes it lasts. It never will. The Mr. Hyde mode is what got him where he is. Even he might not fully realize that.
Radish the wordsmith almost 7 years ago
Rex Tillerson excludes US media from his Press Conference in Saudi Arabia
martens almost 7 years ago
How about some ideas from an Arab commentator? It seems rare that any of us actually ask what concerned and educated Arabs who are not part of the power structures may have to say.
http://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/rami-g-khouri/five-ghosts-haunt-fractured-arab-region
http://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/rami-g-khouri/middle-east-fantasies-and-failures
twclix almost 7 years ago
Thanks, Martins, for the helpful links. The phrase I think sums it up best about trump’s speech was Kouri’s statement: “About half of it is sensible. The other half is delusional, and the entire package in almost every instance repeats the consistently failed policies of the past three American administrations under Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama.”
As I said, status quo ante. I’ve traveled a lot in the region (which makes me only marginally qualified to opine) but my experiences would suggest it’s highly unlikely trump’s grand scheme will have one iota of success.
Remember, this is not really his speech—I doubt he has ever written a speech. He hasn’t got the temperament, attention span, or patience for it. This was a Tillerson – McMaster speech, obviously, it promoted the status quo ante. The important thing was trump was able to get through the entire speech without faltering. For him, that’s an accomplishment.
NeoconMan almost 7 years ago
Well, I think President Trump did an excellent job of reading someone else’s speech off the teleprompter. No other president in history has ever done that.
toahero almost 7 years ago
Trump’s speech was nothing but words.
97% of everything that comes out of his mouth is at least partly false, so I feel secure in assuming that anything he says is a lie, until it is confirmed by another person or event.
Is he planning to start collaborating with the Islamic world rather than spewing hate?Maybe, but the statistics make this doubtful.
Mr. Blawt almost 7 years ago
Trump will do for the Middle East what he did for health care. nothing.
Mr. Blawt almost 7 years ago
A chance to accelerate, if not create more madness, and all the right can do is hide, lie and biatch. By the year 2000, much of the budget was under control, until we elected a Republican. We all had jobs, and money. W failed to support the people of this country and its been downhill ever since as Republicans spread their message, take money from the people and give it to the rich, they know how to treat money. Republicans have been screwing up this country ever since. but lets go back to the 70’s to make up something right inventerl?
montessoriteacher almost 7 years ago
Traitor in chief wants to stir things up and maybe start a little war somewhere to take our minds off his problems at home. It won’t work. The GOP needs to get a grip and let go of trump or they will pay. For now, they are all in cahoots with trump, not a good strategy.
NeoconMan almost 7 years ago
^ Yes, far better to emulate W’s amazing successes in Iraq and Afghanistan.