Russian Bounty on US Soldiers...and Trump’s known for months...

FreeinChrist said:

I wouldn't do Putin the favor of withdrawing a lot of troops from Germany or try to get him back into the G7.

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We've been drawing down the amount of troops stationed in Germany as far back as the 80s. My old base was closed a long time ago.

It's easy to criticize a president when we ourselves aren't responsible for the issue. He has to look at what his actions will cost us. He could pull out the thousands of Americans doing business with Russia but I'm sure nobody would back him. He could start a war but that would cost many families their loved ones. I've looked at this and have to say that at this point I don't see a solution.

Arc F1 said:

We've been drawing down the amount of troops stationed in Germany as far back as the 80s. My old base was closed a long time ago.

It's easy to criticize a president when we ourselves aren't responsible for the issue. He has to look at what his actions will cost us. He could pull out the thousands of Americans doing business with Russia but I'm sure nobody would back him. He could start a war but that would cost many families their loved ones. I've looked at this and have to say that at this point I don't see a solution.

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....the point is, the US could have responded in any number of ways without going to war with Russia. There was NO response...and in fact, the WHite House now claims the POTUS was never briefed on these developments....which of course, means, either the DNI is grossly incompetent or the White House is simply lying.

Given the revelations in Bolton's book about how little Trump pays attention to security briefings, it would not be a surprise to me if even more of these sorts of things come out in the months and years to come. This one, if proven true, should shock every American. (Not to mention the citizens from other countries with forces in the coalition.) That it seems to be handwaved away as 'Trump being Trump' is just beyond belief.

wing2000 said:

....the point is, the US could have responded in any number of ways without going to war with Russia. There was NO response...and in fact, the WHite House now claims the POTUS was never briefed on these developments....which of course, means, either the DNI is grossly incompetent or the White House is simply lying.

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We have to be careful in what we do. Right now everyone is vulnerable. All countries are racking up a massive amount of debt and also looking at crop failures. Getting our strength back should be priority number one. Nobody needs to do anything crazy. The economy is very fragile right now.

Arc F1 said:

We have to be careful in what we do. Right now everyone is vulnerable. All countries are racking up a massive amount of debt and also looking at crop failures. Getting our strength back should be priority number one. Nobody needs to do anything crazy. The economy is very fragile right now.

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Under a normal administration, US would have responded in a measure, proportionate manner to Russian's actions...without undue risk. Foreign policy, informed by those who understand Russia, simply doesn't exist under the Trump administration.

Arc F1 said:

We have to be careful in what we do. Right now everyone is vulnerable. All countries are racking up a massive amount of debt and also looking at crop failures. Getting our strength back should be priority number one. Nobody needs to do anything crazy. The economy is very fragile right now.

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Trump could stop doing Putin a favor by trying to get Russia back in to the G7. That’s the bare minimum Trump should be doing. Why is he currently helping Russia, especially now when they are putting bounties on our soldiers heads? Trump could even bluster that this is wrong and call out Putin over this. Even that would be better than actually doing a favor to Russia right now.

I’m not saying Putin has dirt on Trump, I’m just saying if Putin did have dirt on Trump, Trump would be acting like he is right now.

wing2000 said:

Under a normal administration, US would have responded in a measure, proportionate manner to Russian's actions...without undue risk. Foreign policy, informed by those who understand Russia, simply doesn't exist under the Trump administration.

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I don't know what he could do. All I'm seeing are people complaining. Regardless of the actions he takes one side will see it as wrong. We are no longer united.

GreatLakes4Ever said:

Trump could stop doing Putin a favor by trying to get Russia back in to the G7. That’s the bare minimum Trump should be doing. Why is he currently helping Russia, especially now when they are putting bounties on our soldiers heads? Trump could even bluster that this is wrong and call out Putin over this. Even that would be better than actually doing a favor to Russia right now.

I’m not saying Putin has dirt on Trump, I’m just saying if Putin did have dirt on Trump, Trump would be acting like he is right now.

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Love thy neighbor. Why would we not try a peaceful solution? Shouldn't that always be the goal? Keep Russia at the table and part of the community.

Arc F1 said:

I don't know what he could do. All I'm seeing are people complaining. Regardless of the actions he takes one side will see it as wrong. We are no longer united.

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Stop carrying water for Russia by trying to get them into the G7 would be a great place to start. A strongly worded statement tearing into Putin for allowing this would be a second. Putting sanctions on Russia like the rest of our allies are probably going to do if it is discovered that it is not just American soldiers who had a bounty on their heads would be a third.

None of these would cause Putin to start a war with us. They may cause some incriminating information about Trump fall off the window sill of Putin’s office and into the hands of a New York Times reporter though.

GreatLakes4Ever said:

Stop carrying water for Russia by trying to get them into the G7 would be a great place to start. A strongly worded statement tearing into Putin for allowing this would be a second. Putting sanctions on Russia like the rest of our allies are probably going to do if it is discovered that it is not just American soldiers who had a bounty on their heads would be a third.

None of these would cause Putin to start a war with us. They may cause some incriminating information about Trump fall off the window sill of Putin’s office and into the hands of a New York Times reporter though.

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There are thousands of American companies doing business with Russia. Let's boycott all those that are helping Russia. I can say with certainty that people don't care enough to do that. People want to complain and that's about it. If they truly wanted to punish Russia they would be all over a boycott.

Arc F1 said:

There are thousands of American companies doing business with Russia. Let's boycott all those that are helping Russia. I can say with certainty that people don't care enough to do that. People want to complain and that's about it. If they truly wanted to punish Russia they would be all over a boycott.

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Is Trump himself actually capable of doing himself or is he just an empty suit?

GreatLakes4Ever said:

Is Trump himself actually capable of doing himself or is he just an empty suit?

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How can he do anything without the backing of the people? He tried this with China and people actually back communism over their own country. How many stopped using Google when they found out what they were up to with the communists? How many complained about hurting the farmers? Any sanctions on Russia would be the same and he knows it. So what is it that everyone wants him to do? Just deny them a seat at the table?

Arc F1 said:

How can he do anything without the backing of the people? He tried this with China and people actually back communism over their own country. How many stopped using Google when they found out what they were up to with the communists? How many complained about hurting the farmers? Any sanctions on Russia would be the same and he knows it. So what is it that everyone wants him to do? Just deny them a seat at the table?

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Ah come on, it’s not like he has to invent some magic solution to a problem no-one has had to face before. The US has a long, LONG history of having to react to provocations from hostile nations, often Russia themselves, and there’s a long menu of options they can choose from in these situations. Doing nothing is not an acceptable choice.

Arc F1 said:

How can he do anything without the backing of the people? He tried this with China and people actually back communism over their own country. How many stopped using Google when they found out what they were up to with the communists? How many complained about hurting the farmers? Any sanctions on Russia would be the same and he knows it. So what is it that everyone wants him to do? Just deny them a seat at the table?

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He needs “the people“ to stop him from trying to talk the G7 into letting Trump in?

He needs “the people” to make him write a strongly worded statement slamming Putin for this?

He needs “the people” to make him tell us this is going on? He has enough loyal followers that if he said Putin is having our troops killed, stop doing business with Russians, his followers would do it with out formal executive or legislative action.

Kentonio said:

Ah come on, it’s not like he has to invent some magic solution to a problem no-one has had to face before. The US has a long, LONG history of having to react to provocations from hostile nations, often Russia themselves, and there’s a long menu of options they can choose from in these situations. Doing nothing is not an acceptable choice.

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I don't know what his plans are. Just because he hasn't done anything yet doesn't mean he won't. Idk.

GreatLakes4Ever said:

He needs “the people“ to stop him from trying to talk the G7 into letting Trump in?

He needs “the people” to make him write a strongly worded statement slamming Putin for this?

He needs “the people” to make him tell us this is going on? He has enough loyal followers that if he said Putin is having our troops killed, stop doing business with Russians, his followers would do it with out formal executive or legislative action.

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You are right. His followers would and the rest of the country would do the opposite of what ever he said. The other half would embrace Russia just out of spite as they did with China. Idk what the solution is. Next week he may send a missile into downtown Russia, who knows.

Arc F1 said:

You are right. His followers would and the rest of the country would do the opposite of what ever he said. The other half would embrace Russia just out of spite as they did with China. Idk what the solution is. Next week he may send a missile into downtown Russia, who knows.

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Keeping Russia out of the G7 would hurt them and both Trump’s followers and detractors wouldn’t be able to affect it in favor or spite. Trump wouldn’t even have to do anything, just stop trying to talk the G7 to let Russia in. Why can’t Trump make a stand against Putin by simply sitting down?

Top GOP lawmaker calls for answers from White House after report on Russian bounties on US forces

theHill said:

House Republican Conference Chairperson Liz Cheney (Wyo.) is calling for answers from the White House regarding an explosive report that intelligence officials concluded Russia placed bounties on U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
..."If reporting about Russian bounties on US forces is true, the White House must explain: 1. Why weren’t the president or vice president briefed? Was the info in the PDB? 2. Who did know and when? 3. What has been done in response to protect our forces & hold Putin accountable?" she tweeted.

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FreeinChrist said:

I started this thread to be about the article in the OP. It is not about Obama/Iran.
It is about Russia offering bounties for the deaths of US soldiers in Afghanistan.

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This is only funny because as best as I can see, you didn't start this thread.