BREAKING: Kyiv, Washington reach agreement on minerals deal

He did it again!

Is anyone surprised?

It’s super easy to be generous with other peoples money.

Just think, if cackles was pres, we’d still be shoveling billions into a bottomless pit with no idea where any of that money was going. 

with no idea where any of that money was going. 

It was going to hold back Russian aggression. It also paid American weapons manufacturers. It might have been a wasted effort, but we did, in fact, know where it was going. 

Meanwhile, you don’t have any idea about the details of this new deal, but you’re pumped all the same - because…feelings?

“ but you’re pumped all the same - because…feelings?”

That’s a really stupid thing to say. It’s nice to see some effort being made toward ending the war. Something we never saw from the previous idiots, but that’s ok because,,,feelings?

It’s nice to see some effort being made toward ending the war.

I think that would be nice, too. How does this accomplish that?

Yeah, it would be nice. If the US has a stake in ukraine resources russia might be more open to end war? This deal could lead to more talks? Conversation is the key. Nothing changes without conversation. The fact that trump is talking to both sides is encouraging and a complete reversal from the previous administration.

Meanwhile, you don’t have any idea about the details of this new deal, but you’re pumped all the same - because…feelings?

Feelings!  

We do not know the details so one has to wonder why you are leaping up and down with praise and joy.   But a deal that Ukraine will accept is encouraging.

This, however, ..., gives a glimpse:   bbc

Without confirming that an agreement had been reached, Trump said on Tuesday that in return for the deal Ukraine would get " the right to fight on ".

"They're very brave," he told reporters, but "without the United States and its money and its military equipment, this war would have been over in a very short period of time ".

Asked whether supplies of US equipment and ammunition to Ukraine would continue, he said: "Maybe u ntil we have a deal with Russia... We need to have a deal, otherwise it's going to continue ."

Would you like the war to end, or prefer to see Trump fail?

How many times have I stated this?   You need to break free of your ridiculous stereotype and pay attention to what people write.

I want the war to end on terms that are fair to Ukraine.   There are many ways to achieve fairness and Ukraine would be the determiner of what is fair.

I have stated quite a few times that I had hope that the Ukraine war was one area where Trump could actually do some good.   His brain-dead stupid public claim that Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky is a dictator, that he has 4% approval, his lie that the USA has provided $500 billion in aid coupled with his exclusive meetings with Putin were counterproductive.    So he as usual cannot keep his stupid mouth shut and behave like a decent human being.

But I have stated repeatedly that I would indeed give Trump credit if he can end this war without throwing Ukraine under the bus.   So pay attention to what people write instead of inventing  positions for them based on a simplistic fantasized stereotype.

Ukraine would get " the right to fight on ".

I'm pretty sure Ukraine has always had the right to fight on, and it's not America's place to grant or deny that right. Like what does that even mean? Does it mean we will continue to give military aid?

I took that to mean that Trump will continue to give military aid.

But Trump's rhetoric is largely meaningless.

It baffles me that anyone would make a deal with that liar.

Understandably, but Zelensky is in an extremely difficult situation.   Plus, we do not know the details of the deal.

I’m just hoping the man gets his cash up front.

Would you like the war to end, or prefer to see Trump fail?

I would like to see the war end and Trump in the gutter of some foreign nation where nobody speaks English, begging for alms as the people walk by him saying,"Get a Job."  But I will take the war ending with fair terms.

We do not know the details so one has to wonder why you are leaping up and down with praise and joy. 

Because...FEELINGS!

He did what?

He did it again!

Good for him!

It will be interesting to see how this changes the negotiations with Russia.

Well Trump is going to try to get something he can brag about.   Ending the war is not the only outcome he will accept.   It is just the outcome he campaigned on.

As it stands now, it seems that the current deal enables the war to continue with USA support of Ukraine.   Will be interesting to see what the actual 'deal' was, but the fact that Ukraine apparently accepts it is promising.

Well Trump is going to try to get something he can brag about. 

Obviously.  But let's not pretend other presidents have not been similarly motivated.

As it stands now, it seems that the current deal enables the war to continue with USA support of Ukraine.

Which is why it will be interesting to see how this changes negotiations with Russia.

Obviously.  But let's not pretend other presidents have not been similarly motivated.

Trump takes this to an unheard of level because he is a sociopath.   None of the presidents in our lifetimes come close to the level of disregard Trump has for norms and well-being of other people.   He just does not give a shit.   Given he has the power of the presidency, this is dangerous.

None of the presidents in our lifetimes come close to the level of disregard Trump has for norms and well-being of other people.

None of the presidents in our lifetimes showed it openly.  Let's not pretend LBJ or Nixon were not raving sociopaths or that they gave a solitary shit about the well-being of other people.

this is dangerous.

We're not going to agree on that.  

Let's not pretend ...

I am not pretending anything.   I am observing what Trump is actually doing.   Our prior presidents could have been the worse human beings on the planet (they were not), but those qualities did not manifest in actions and rhetoric at the level and severity of Trump's.  

Trump has, as example one, demonstrably harmed international relationships;  this was entirely unnecessary.   A point you have dismissed repeatedly.   This damage has been done.   Nations have less trust in the USA now that we have shown we will actually arm a rogue buffoon like Trump with the power of the presidency.   They are seeking alternate trade partners and similar actions (e.g. Canada investigating a lateral pipeline for transporting crude) to be less dependent on the USA.

And who could blame them?

We're not going to agree on that.  

Does not matter.  There is nothing you or I can do about this.   Trump has all the power and is irresponsibly wielding it.

I am not pretending anything.

Let's stop ignoring it then.

Our prior presidents could have been the worse human beings on the planet (they were not),

You have no way at all of knowing that.

but those qualities did not manifest in actions and rhetoric at the level and severity of Trump's.  

As I said, they did not show it openly.  Glad we agree.

Trump has, as example one, demonstrably harmed international relationships;  this was entirely unnecessary.   A point you have dismissed repeatedly. 

I still do.  It's your unsubstantiated opinion of a man who can do no right in your eyes.  Seriously, he could haul your ass out of a burning building while curing cancer and you'd still say he did it wrong. (not that he's capable of either of those things)

Trump has all the power and is irresponsibly wielding it.

Let's stop ignoring the fact that didn't invent the practice.  What he does differently is tell you about it.  

Now, did you actually want to talk about this seed?  

There is at least a decent chance that Trump will use this deal with Ukraine as leverage to push Putin to the peace table.  The entire world knows that just as you can't win a land war in Russia you can't win a defense spending war with the Americans.  And now we're talking about protecting half a trillion dollars worth of official American interests.

These negotiations are about to get much more interesting.

Let's stop ignoring it then.

I see you ignoring (downplaying) what Trump is doing ... in spite of reality.

You have no way at all of knowing that.

Note the phrase "could have been".

As I said, they did not show it openly. 

And that is the point I made.   It does not matter what a PotUS might be thinking internally, what matters is what they say and what they do.

I still do. 

Pretending Trump has not harmed international relationships is pathetic.

Let's stop ignoring the fact that didn't invent the practice.

Strawman.

Now, did you actually want to talk about this seed?  

You took us on this tangent.

There is at least a decent chance that Trump will use this deal with Ukraine as leverage to push Putin to the peace table.  The entire world knows that just as you can't win a land war in Russia you can't win a defense spending war with the Americans.  And now we're talking about protecting half a trillion dollars worth of official American interests. And I hope he can do it.   Let's see Trump do something positive.  

Do you recognize how stupid it was for Trump to publicly state that Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky is a dictator with a 4% approval rating, and taking NATO, etc. off the table?   That shakes any confidence I had that Trump knows how to negotiate.   But it is still possible for his team to negotiate a deal in spite of the liar in chief putting his foot in his mouth.

I very much hope he can end this war without throwing Ukraine under the bus.   That would be a positive accomplishment.

I see you ignoring (downplaying) what Trump is doing ... in spite of reality.

In spite of your hysteria, you mean. 

I'm just not interested in Trump psychosis, either for or against.  It's a point I have been very clear about for years.

Note the phrase "could have been".

Note the phrase "they were not".  Glad to see you agree that was rash.

Do you recognize how stupid it was for Trump to publicly state that Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky is a dictator with a 4% approval rating, and taking NATO, etc. off the table? 

And yet here we are with a Ukraine deal.  And it might possibly turn into a Russia deal.

I realize this may be difficult, but it may just be possible that what happens in front of your face is not the sum total of what happens.  

There is a pattern here, where you either refuse to consider such ideas or dismiss them as unimportant if they even mildly interrupt your prejudice.

That shakes any confidence I had that Trump knows how to negotiate.   But it is still possible for his team to negotiate a deal in spite of the liar in chief putting his foot in his mouth. I very much hope he can end this war without throwing Ukraine under the bus.   That would be a positive accomplishment.

1. You never had any confidence in Trump for anything.
2. "Liar in chief" is a kool-aid drinkers phrase.  
3. You will absolutely never acknowledge anything Trump ever does as a "positive accomplishment" under any circumstance, so drop the pretense.
4. Ukraine is already under the bus.  They need us to keep it from getting worse.  They are in a war they cannot win without outside assistance.

In spite of your hysteria, you mean. 

More evidence that you are simply here to be obnoxious.

And yet here we are with a Ukraine deal.  And it might possibly turn into a Russia deal.

We have yet to see details of a deal that will end this war.   Hold down your fantasy and deal with reality.

And you refuse to even acknowledge the stupidity of a negotiation facilitator publicly throwing one side under the bus before negotiations even start.   Trump publicly claimed Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky is a dictator with a 4% approval rating, and lied about both European and USA aid to Ukraine for this war.  

Worse, Trump violated the USA's long-standing position to support democratic allies against dictators.   He publicly parrot's Putin's talking points and is clearly siding with Russia against Ukraine.   He is an embarrassment.

But you will keep trying to defend him.   Pathetic.

You will absolutely never acknowledge anything Trump ever does as a "positive accomplishment" under any circumstance, so drop the pretense.

You are demonstrably wrong because I have done so several times on this site (even here @1.3.2).    Pretty sure I have even replied to you noting my approval of the AI initiative (thus far), as well as my support in principle for a Soveriegn Wealth Fund.   And of course my agreement in principle with cutting waste from government (I disagree with the method).  

Bottom line, you either are not paying attention or are posting lies to be obnoxious.

More evidence that you are simply here to be obnoxious

I return the type of conversation I receive.

We have yet to see details of a deal that will end this war.

Hence the words "might" and "possibly".

Hold down your fantasy and deal with reality.

More evidence you are simply here to be obnoxious.  

And you refuse to even acknowledge the stupidity of a negotiation facilitator publicly throwing one side under the bus before negotiations even start. 

The fact is that neither you nor I have the tiniest fucking clue what went on in these negotiations.  It may have been a complete gaff, or it may have been some sort of planned tactic to which we are not privy.  Not that you're going to acknowledge the possibility of anything that didn't happen in front of your nose.

But you will keep trying to defend him. Pathetic.

More Kool-aid drinker comments.  

You are demonstrably wrong because I have done so several times on this site (even here @1.3.2).

Riiiight.  Well you'll forgive those of us who are not accustomed to a supposed "positive accomplishment" being described with terms like "brain dead" and "stupid"

You seem to be struggling with the difference between claiming you will do something and actually doing it, which is odd, considering it's a standard behavior for Trump as well.

I return the type of conversation I receive.

You poison a discussion when your claims are challenged.

You seem to be struggling with the difference between claiming you will do something and actually doing it, ...

Another demonstrable lie.   

Another demonstrable lie.  

The problem is that it's not.  This is all very obviously going to go the same way your DOGE assessment went, where you claim to agree with what they're trying to do but constantly bitch about the way they go about it.

I notice you had no comment on the idea that there is certainly much more going on with these negotiations than you or I or anyone else in the public have any idea.  

A rational person would understand that this is all still very much in progress, and would wait to see end results before using terminology like "brain dead" or "stupid".   

It's quite possible that all of this is being handled behind the scenes by professionals, and Trump nearly ruined it all by putting his foot in his mouth. 

It's also quite possible that Trump's comments were strategically intended to make sure Zelensky understands not to take US support for granted and pressure him to accept a deal he would otherwise have resisted.  With a long term Ukraine deal in hand, he now has additional levers to use in talks with Russia.

There are several other possibilities that any person with minimal imagination could postulate.

The unhappy (for you) yet irrefutable fact of the matter is that nobody in the general public has any legitimate clue about the actual permutations in question.  So any praise for Trump is premature and any accusations that this is "brain dead" or "stupid" are... in fact... both brain dead and stupid. 

This is all very obviously going to go the same way your DOGE assessment went, where you claim to agree with what they're trying to do but constantly bitch about the way they go about it.

What fantasy world are you living in?   My DOGE assessment remains spot on.   If anything, it is getting worse.   And to remind you, I am in support of cutting waste and fraud but am not in favor of hatchet jobs designed for quick results (even if bad) that can be used for political spin.

And where is this going?   My criticism is that Trump is ostensibly trying to negotiate peace yet is stupidly harming the effort.   It is counter-productive for a facilitator of a negotiation to publicly throw one of the parties under the bus before negotiations.

I notice you had no comment on the idea that there is certainly much more going on with these negotiations than you or I or anyone else in the public have any idea.  

Do you need me to respond to obvious points?   Yes, Jack, the public absolutely does not know all the details.   

A rational person would understand that this is all still very much in progress, and would wait to see end results before using terminology like "brain dead" or "stupid". 

Have you now fantasized that I have claimed this process is done?   I am waiting to see the results.   But in the meantime I will label publicly calling Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating and blaming Ukraine for starting the war as a brain-dead stupid tactic for the facilitator of a negotiation.   It is staggering that you do not see this.

It's quite possible that all of this is being handled behind the scenes by professionals, and Trump nearly ruined it all by putting his foot in his mouth. 

So you do understand why Trump's rhetoric was brain-dead stupid.   You seem confused.

It's also quite possible that Trump's comments were strategically intended to make sure Zelensky understands not to take US support for granted and pressure him to accept a deal he would otherwise have resisted.  With a long term Ukraine deal in hand, he now has additional levers to use in talks with Russia.

How about sitting down with Zelensky in private and communicating this?    Trump's public statements were brain-dead stupid.   He destroyed his neutrality, caused people to see him as a Putin puppet parroting his talking points, took negotiation points off the table, etc.   No, Jack, the public rhetoric was brain-dead stupid.   And you do not have to do much research to see analysts making comments similar to mine.

There are several other possibilities that any person with minimal imagination could postulate.

There are plenty of ways that this negotiation could go.   But under every scenario other than Trump intending to throw Ukraine under the bus, his rhetoric was brain-dead stupid.

The unhappy (for you) yet irrefutable fact of the matter is that nobody in the general public has any legitimate clue about the actual permutations in question.  So any praise for Trump is premature and any accusations that this is "brain dead" or "stupid" are... in fact... both brain dead and stupid. 

His public rhetoric prior to negotiations which publicly called Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating and blaming Ukraine for starting the war is brain-dead stupid.   

You keep trying to assign my criticism of his rhetoric to the entire negotiation but that is yet again you engaging in blatant dishonesty.

"Liar in chief" is a kool-aid drinkers phrase. 

I never drink kool-aid, but I find the phrase "Liar in chief" to be accurate and telling. It is a great description of the the president.

And to remind you, I am in support of cutting waste and fraud but am not in favor of hatchet jobs designed for quick results (even if bad) that can be used for political spin.

My point exactly.

My criticism is that Trump is ostensibly trying to negotiate peace yet is stupidly harming the effort.   It is counter-productive for a facilitator of a negotiation to publicly throw one of the parties under the bus before negotiations.

And yet.... we have a deal.

I am waiting to see the results.

Obviously not.  You have clearly rendered judgment on an issue about which you have almost zero actual information.  Again.  We'll just add this to the long and apparently ever growing list.

It is staggering 

I'm sure you find it so.

So you do understand why Trump's rhetoric was brain-dead stupid.

I understand that there are multiple possibilities and we have near to zero information.

How about sitting down with Zelensky in private and communicating this? 

How do you know he didn't?  How do you know the whole "4% approval rating" wasn't a big show he worked out with VZ for Putin's benefit?  Oh... that's right... you don't have a clue in hell what they discussed privately and yet again display a fervent resistance to any sort of imaginative effort to think beyond the miniscule amount of information you see in front of you. 

Do you really imagine yourself a more astute negotiator than a serial NY real estate hustler?  This is literally the ONE THING this asshole does well. (apart from self aggrandizement)

After years of pouring endless money into a pit of death, we have a deal.  It may potentially provide leverage toward another.  So whatever the fuck he or his team did, it worked so far.  

But no, we should be upset because he didn't do it the way you thought he should.   The irony of your "brain dead" and "stupid" declarations really is lost on you, isn't it?

I never drink kool-aid, but I find the phrase "Liar in chief" to be accurate and telling. It is a great description of the the president.

There may be some accuracy to it.  It's still a Kool-Aid drinkers statement that declares a person as biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues.

It's one level above rednecks who say "libtard" or the morons who call people "fascists" all the time.

And yet.... we have a deal.

There is no deal to end the Ukraine was ... which is what I have been referring to.   And even if there was one, it remains brain-dead stupid for Trump to parrot Putin's talking points blaming Ukraine for starting the war and labeling Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating.   And even Trump realizes how stupid it was as he is walking it back.  But keep trying in futility to defend him.

You have clearly rendered judgment on an issue about which you have almost zero actual information. 

More dishonesty from you.   I have rendered judgment on what Trump publicly said about Ukraine (see above).   I realize you have no rebuttal, but moving the goalposts is dishonest (and pathetic).

How do you know he didn't? 

Because the reports are that he did not.   You can pretend that there was a meeting and nobody has reported on it.  I suppose that is a 'possibility'.   A very error prone way to operate, but that is your choice.

Do you really imagine yourself a more astute negotiator than a serial NY real estate hustler?  

Apparently you do not understand the first thing about actual negotiation:   do not compromise your own position.   There is only disadvantage for a neutral facilitator of a negotiation to publicly throw one of the parties under the bus.   Unless, as I stated, the facilitator is biased towards the other party.

The irony of your "brain dead" and "stupid" declarations really is lost on you, isn't it?

What is funny is that you actually believe Trump's public throwing of Ukraine under the bus helped negotiations.   You seem to have made yourself believe that a minerals deal required this stupid act by Trump (which he continues to walk back) and that this stupid act has not harmed a peace deal (which is the deal that I have been talking about).

You really are doing somersaults trying to defend the buffoon.

There is no deal to end the Ukraine was .

Do you believe Russia and Ukraine are closer to a peace deal than any time during Joes presidency?

I hope so, but there is insufficient information to tell.

What is obvious, however, is that Trump claiming Ukraine started the war and labeling Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating was counterproductive.

Trump is playing the role of neutral facilitator.   He broke the first rule by publicly throwing one side under the bus.   (Now he is trying to walk that back.)

He is a buffoon.

What is obvious, however, is that Trump claiming Ukraine started the war and labeling Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating was counterproductive.

How so, please be specific.  It is bullshit bluster and everyone (except the true Trump fans) have gotten past it.  IMO Ukraine is losing the war, there is no way they will win.  Maybe a dose of that reality is exactly what Zelensky needs.  Giving him 5 more years of weapons and watch his country be destroyed is hardly in anyone's best interest.  Maybe it is time for him to take the best deal currently possible because waiting will be a disaster.  It may suck but it is not going to get better with time.  Maybe Trump is pushing him to that realization with a little hyperbole, I won't pretend to understand his thinking.  But if the results save lives I find it hard to believe the pushback is anything other that Trump hatred.

Trump is playing the role of neutral facilitator.   He broke the first rule by publicly throwing one side under the bus.   (Now he is trying to walk that back.)

Again, he is refusing too blow sunshine up the skirt of the folks that have absolutely no leverage.  If it works and there is a peace deal reached in the near future that is the best deal Ukraine can hope for if he made the statement or not it doesn't really matter?  Peace achieved is peace achieved.  So far no one has gotten close to peace.  

He is a buffoon.

Yes and?    

There may be some accuracy to it.  It's still a Kool-Aid drinkers statement that declares a person as biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues.

Says you. 

He is a well documented and habitual liar. He is commander in chief, also. Hence the phrase "liar in chief". So your contentions about people who call him such as being "...biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues," is obviously wrong and shows illogical reasoning abilities. While some of the people who call him liar in chief may in fact be "kool-aid drinkers" and have the reasoning abilities of a rock, this does not mean that all users of the phrase necessarily have to be, "...biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues." 

There is no deal to end the Ukraine was ... which is what I have been referring to. 

Moving those goalposts again, are we?

But keep trying in futility to defend him.

More Kool-Aid comments.  

More dishonesty

You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means. (that's a movie reference, BTW)

Because the reports are that he did not.   You can pretend that there was a meeting and nobody has reported on it.

Well..... if it wasn't reported it must not have happened. *eyeroll*  Do you know about this thing they have now called "the telephone"?  Do you suppose ALL of the calls from the White House are reported by the media?  

Such a call may never have happened.  Or it may have.  Or it may have happened between underlings.  Or maybe not.  We have no way of knowing.  

Apparently you do not understand the first thing about actual negotiation:   do not compromise your own position.

The multiple levels of irony in that statement are fantastic. I will be amazed if you have ever paid less than advertised price for any car you have ever bought.

It's not difficult (for the rest of us) to imagine a scenario where this deal was on the table and Zelensky balked because he didn't want to give that much away.  Trump turns around and talks shit about him in the media.  Zelensky realizes how precarious his position really is and understands he better sign the damned thing while it's still available.

It may have happened that way.  Maybe not.  We have way of knowing.  But again, we're back to you failing to imagine anything that isn't directly in front of you and failing to comprehend many of the things that are.

For example.....  Why in God's name would you think Trump would assume the role of a neutral facilitator?  Of anything?  When has he ever been that in any circumstance?  There is zero evidence to suggest he even possesses the capability, much less the interest.

His JOB is to pursue the interests of the United States.  He (more probably his team) negotiated a deal with Ukraine that serves US interests.  This was never some sort of Jimmy Carter Camp David peace summit.   

Before this latest chapter in your ongoing Trump tirade, this conversation began with the idea that the existence of THIS deal potentially changes the dynamic of a possible NEXT deal in an interesting way.

But in order to begin to understand that concept, you must have at least some minimal capability to comprehend the potential existence of that which you have not actually seen.

You really are doing somersaults trying to defend the buffoon.

I'm sure you actually believe this bullshit.  Every interaction with you almost immediately devolves into you declaring "Trump = bad" and demanding everyone else recite that creed with you like it's the Pledge of Allegiance and we're all in grade school or else face these juvenile accusations.   It's ignorant, it's tedious, it's immature and it's unimaginative.  I'm not participating.  

Says you.

You're reinforcing my point.

While some of the people who call him liar in chief may in fact be "kool-aid drinkers" and have the reasoning abilities of a rock, this does not mean that all users of the phrase necessarily have to be, "...biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues." 

The use of the phrase is a declaration, much like blue hair or a MAGA hat or a "coexist" bumper sticker on a Subaru or "stars and bars" on a pickup truck.  

In this case, the phrase serves to put everyone on notice that the person using it has a given set of beliefs and is not interested in entertaining ideas that may contradict those.  I.E.... they have drunk the Kool-Aid.

I never drink kool-aid,

Kool Aid is not good for your health-- too much sugar!

We're not going to agree on that. 

Obviously . . .

Moving those goalposts again, are we?

I have been talking about Trump's rhetoric the entire time.   Pay attention.

Well..... if it wasn't reported it must not have happened. *eyeroll*

To a rational person, a meeting that would have been reported that has not been reported is not likely to have happened.

It may have happened that way.  Maybe not.  We have way of knowing. 

No matter what scenario you fantasize my comment has always been about facts.   You cannot deny that Trump publicly claimed Zelensky started the war and is a dictator with a 4% approval.   You try to spin this stupidity by Trump and look ridiculous in the attempt.

And of course your game is to exaggerate what people write and also flat out lie.   It is pathetic that you must resort to these slimy tactics instead of engaging thoughtfully and in an adult fashion.

And now we have Trump and Vance illustrating clearly that they are not even remotely close to being unbiased facilitators for peace.  Are you going to finally be critical of the sickening and embarrassing display today in the Oval office or are you going to weave some elaborate fantasy where Trump is a master negotiator?

How so, please be specific. 

I am not going to explain to you why it is counterproductive for Trump to claim Ukraine started the war and to label Zelensky a dictator with a 4% approval rating.   This is something that should be obvious.

Let's hear your view of the Oval office meeting with Zelensky.   Explain why we should be proud of the buffoon in the White House serving as the face and voice of our nation.   Explain how this kind of sick behavior is good.

You won't answer. How surprising.

And yet again more specious argumentation. Actually, it doesn't even make all that much sense, unless the one making the argument is simply prejudiced, so I will retract my "specious" and go with plain "incorrect" instead.

Most of the time, the use of a phrase is just the use of a phrase. The context in which it is used gives a clue to the intent.

The use of the phrase is a declaration, much like blue hair or a MAGA hat or a "coexist" bumper sticker on a Subaru or "stars and bars" on a pickup truck.  

This is a logic problem that you keep getting wrong. In addition to getting it wrong, you further discredit your commentary by showing more examples of your incorrect reasoning. It is like you want people to think that your commentary is thoughtless. These things that you list may have meaning or they may not. My girlfriend once bought a pickup that had big decal sign that took up the whole the rear window that said "Kuntry Lovin". It is not something that she would have applied herself, but she lived with it until the remarks made by boorish people made her scratch off "Kun" part. I do not think that you would wish to be characterized along with those people. Or would you? The proclivity of your commentary suggests otherwise.

You say that the mere fact of usage of a term is all that should be considered to determine the content and quality of individual members thinking abilities on this forum. I.E. They must be biased beyond the willingness for objectively or intelligently considering issues if they use this phrase.  Nevermind the context around it. Nevermind that it may be an accurate representation of what the members are discussing. Because Jack_TX says that it means this one thing and this one thing only, it must be so.  

Get over yourself. 

And yet.... we have a deal.

Even though I was criticizing Trump's public throwing of Ukraine under the bus and how that compromises a peace deal we now have another prime example of Trump's brain dead stupidity.

Now he has publicly killed the minerals (extortion) deal (again, not what I was talking about) that you thought (bizarrely) showed Trump's public idiocy paid off.    Brain --  dead --  stupid.

At what point do you stop trying to defend Trump?

It will be interesting to see how this changes the negotiations with Russia.

"Interesting"???

Absolutely.  Why would it not be?

Any negotiation with Russia has gone from "please be nice" to "you're fucking with half a trillion dollars of US interests." 

It seems like that's a different conversation.

good point

I await details. So far, this doesn’t like it does anything about the war.

Some details are @1.3

It sounds a bit like a sovereign wealth fund.

I await details.

At least you and others are willing to wait.  There are many others that will take what ever is thrown out there and run with it.  

BREAKING: Kyiv, Washington reach agreement on minerals deal

There's an old saying: 

If it ain't BROKE, don't fix it. 

Trump deliberately cancelled that deal in front of the world. So you have to wonder why?

Why setup a confrontation to insult the person you want to make a deal with?

Did Vance, or Rubio advise Trump in a confrontation to deliberately cause the deal to fail?

If so, they insured Trump fails at not only with the deal, but fails on the world stage.

Now America is no longer seen as strong or making deals or keeping promises, or leading the world. We are now backward isolationists no one trusts. 

Why does the United States need lithium if we're going to continue an oil-based economy?  Trump has put EVs on ICE.

The deal, as presented in the seed, doesn't appear to provide the United States with a material benefit.  What the agreement does accomplish is shifting the burden of reconstruction away from the United States and onto Ukraine.  So, the United States won't be responsible for rebuilding Ukraine or guaranteeing Ukraine's security.  Trump has gotten us out of the quagmire, to a large extent.  How much depends upon the details.

Rare earth elements are used in a slew of military stuff. Right now, something like 90% of the processing of the rare earth elements is done in China. 

I think Trump is sucking the wrong weenie.

I think Trump is sucking the wrong weenie

We've heard a lot about TDS ("Trump Derangement Syndrome") which includes not believing anything Trump says. But there's also the opposite--- TBS )"Trump Believing Syndrome" and that means believing everything Trump says!!! 

(Actually is some cses it also applies to believing anything someone says-- not only Trump, but also believing some of thethe posts we read on social media).

Caveat Emptor!

Why does the United States need lithium if we're going to continue an oil-based economy?

There are other uses of Lithium as well: Digital cameras,  watches, some toys, clocks, consumer electronics, smart phones, medical equipment, backup power, nuclear power, flashlights....I'm surprised you didn't know that!

Why does the United States need lithium if we're going to continue an oil-based economy?

There are other uses of Lithium as well: Digital cameras,  watches, some toys, clocks, consumer electronics, smart phones, medical equipment, backup power, nuclear power, flashlights....I'm surprised you didn't know that!

Whoa...wait a minute! Actually I'm not surprised at all! 

There are other uses of Lithium as well: Digital cameras,  watches, some toys, clocks, consumer electronics, smart phones, medical equipment, backup power, nuclear power, flashlights....I'm surprised you didn't know that!

Thermonuclear weapons used to provide security guarantees.