At this turning point for our country, our president seems to be changing sides. Of course he has never in his history opposed Russian dictator Putin. We might consider here lessons from the current book "Alexi Navalny Patriot a Memoir," available at public libraries. Reading his simple, straight-forward text is like having a conversation with an everyman, me or you. He writess about his interesting life, sometimes daily, always with a sense of humor. The reader does not need to know that the late Alexi is probably the greatest Russian hero activist of the modern era, having fought to the death the dictator Putin's devastation of his country.
Alexi was neither saint nor sinner, prince nor pauper, philosopher nor politician. Like us he was a common man who chose to fulfill the duty of a citizen, in fact a branch of government. He stood publically for what was right. This quote from Alexi is an important opportunity for our thoughtful consideration at this difficult time.
"The only thing we should fear is that we will surrender our homeland to be plundered by a gang of liars, thieves, and hypocrites. That we will surrender without a fight, voluntarily, our own future and the future of our children." *
* "Alexi Navalny Patriot a Memoir"; Alexi Navalny; 2024; publisher Alfred A. Knopf; First Edition; pages 421-422.
Rebecca Rolston Raymond
Hixson
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Dear Rebecca from Hixson,
I do not believe that you could be more wrong with your observation of what occurred in White House meeting between President Trump and Ukraine's Zyllenskyy . What I witnessed was a foreign leader who thought he could get in front of the world's press and lecture the President of the US on how to handle a deal he is trying to broker to end war.
The ,"Rude" person was Vlodimir and not Trump or Vance. He never publicly thanked us for the work being done on his behalf or for the 60+million dollars of support provided. I say let's just not give him anymore $$ and see how he does. We call that "tough love" as opposed to your Trump "hate".
Don Howard
Hixson
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In typical Democrat manner, Ms. Raymond spews outright lies and attempts to distract unknowing readers with irrelevant misinformation. She failed to mention Zelensky met with Democrat legislators at 11:30 a.m., just prior to his meeting at the White House. Those Democrats advised him not to sign the agreement to mine rare earth minerals in order to repay a portion of the $390+ billion dollars of assistance previously sent to Ukraine.
During his White House meeting, Zelensky was full aware that Ukraine being involved in an agency business relationship with the United States would cause an immediate end to the war with Russia. Putin is in a stalemate situation and the war has become unpopular with the citizens of Russia who are also frustrated with their deteriorating economy.
Democrats who either directly or indirectly benefited from the previous aid want the conflict to continue.
The White House meeting was ended by President Trump promptly after Zelensky, in his native tongue, referred to Vice President J.D. Vance at a “Bitch” on an open microphone.
When Zelensky returns to Ukraine and more of their citizens die, I hope they will become aware of his rejection to end conflict.
Make no mistake, Zelensky and the Democrats don’t want an end to the conflict.
Michael S. Glenn, Sr.
Soddy Daisy
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Ms. Raymond,
Thank you for your letter. You were totally correct! It was a total embarrassment for our country. It was an ambush from a rude and arrogant man and his minions. The world is watching and most of it is just as appalled as you and I are.
Vicki Hill
Hixson
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Ms. Raymond described the recent White House meeting correctly and accurately, very much unlike the inaccurate and downright absurd response from the Trump supporters.
It is obvious that Trump and Vance are in support of Putin and in some way are bound to benefit from Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
It is appropriate that Americans should be appalled and outraged at this latest display of stupidity and powerplaying on the part of the Musk-Trump "administration."
Tim McDonald
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The only rude and inept display came from the comedian Zelensky during the Oval Office fiasco that was supposed to be for signing of a mineral deal for both countries. This would have benefited both countries. Americans would be paid back some of our taxpayers money and Ukraine would be able to rebuild their economy and infrastructures.
Zelensky did indeed meet with Democrats prior to the Oval Office meeting and he was encouraged to goad President Trump and it has now been reported that he wasn’t going to sign the deal beforehand. Even Marco Rubio has stated there were two previous opportunities to sign the deal, but Zelensky wanted it to be in front of cameras at Washington.
Having watched a televised interview with Ukrainian born Congresswoman Victoria Spartz yesterday (Sunday), she stated that indeed Zelensky called VP Vance a “bitch” in his Russian language on a hot mic. She also said Zelensky was very corrupt and that Zelensky is not going to stop the war. Zelensky has even stated just after meeting with the UK’s Keir Starmer that the war will last a very, very long time.
Zelensky only wants more billions of USA taxpayers money. Since his country has been given $350 billion so far in aid and out of his own mouth he doesn’t know what happened to $100 billion dollars. Let’s find that Ukrainian prosecutor that Joe Biden bragged about getting fired and see if he can shed some light on the money laundering in Ukraine. We all know that politicians and oligarchs are getting rich off USA taxpayer’s money.
Democrats have let their TDS get in the way of facts. Just a little research will show what Zelensky has done to Russian speaking Ukrainians in the Donbas region and how they have destroyed churches and more in that area. I’m not taking up for Putin either as he is a war criminal and invaded Ukraine only to be a dictator and regain some of the old country just like he did with Crimea under Obama.
President Trump campaigned and has repeatedly said he wants to stop the killings and end the wars both in Ukraine and with the conflict with Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.
What have the Democrats offered to end this war. Absolutely NOTHING! Democrats have had 3-1/2 years to do something prior to President Trump. Not once has it been reported that I know of that Joe Biden spoke to Putin about ending the war. All Biden could muster was Don’t, Don’t, Don’t like that was going to stop Putin. It is the incompetence and failures of the Biden administration why Trump has inherited the foreign policy disasters from Democrats, and now he, Trump, is going to do something.
I have yet to hear any solutions coming from the Democrats. All they know how to do is belly ache about Trump and his ideas. I am personally glad the public was allowed to see just what Zelensky is and his stance on continuing the war.
Zelensky disrespected President Trump, Vice President Vance, those present in his cabinet and the entire American nation with his arrogance, smirking, eye rolling and interruptions during the conversation. Plus, he dresses just a notch above Fetterman. No Respect!
Thank goodness we don’t have the Harris/Walz knuckleheads serving up Obama’s 4th term. WWIII would be right around the corner and we taxpayers would still be giving billions away.
Arch Tinker
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AS usual the liberal Dem come out like squawking geese, as President Trump tried to end the ongoing war in Ukraine their president tried to dictate conditions to our president, I am sure that he was briefed by the outgoing administration on how to approach President Trump, but unlike Past President Biden, this President does not lay down for anyone. There is a new sheriff in town and his name is Trump!
Rick Genter