@DelanoSquires I have been pleading with people for years to use this line of reasoning when discussing trans issues.
Insulting and calling them mentally deranged scores points on social media but won’t win the hearts of young people.
When your TV is telling you that the man negotiating for peace is an evil fascist dictator while the man agitating for World War 3 is a hero of freedom and democracy then it's probably time to turn off your TV.
Life is complicated.
Putin is the aggressor in the current war, and countries wanting to align with NATO in no way justifies his invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine is a corrupt state, which in no way justifies its destruction by Russia.
Zelensky is a corrupt clown with poor manners, but he acted heroically in the months following the invasion of his country by a superior force.
America does have an interest in deterring Russian aggression in Europe.
This war would not have started if Trump had been president.
This war would not have started if America, NATO, or a European coalition had moved trip-wire troops into Ukraine or initiated a no-fly-zone over the country in 2021 (instead of Joe Biden saying he was okay with a small invasion...).
Ukraine cannot win the war without America.
Zelensky missed his best opportunity for peace over two years ago.
Zelensky is missing his second best opportunity for peace right now.
Zelensky is a fool for campaigning in the US Presidential election and for being disrespectful to his largest patron.
America's interests intersect with Ukraine's, but are distinct.
The war must end.
You can disagree with any one of these points, but for the most part, people are just barking partisan talking points and pretending there is no complexity to a war that has probably killed 1.5M people and implicates the entire West and the two largest nuclear powers on Earth.
If you watch the full Trump-Zelensky press conference, it is very clear that Zelensky, not Trump or Vance, became the antagonist. Both POTUS and VP were very respectful and cordial until Zelensky very publicly ignited a firestorm.
It all starts at 40:30
1) Zelensky essentially rejects how VP described the mandate of POTUS to conduct foreign affairs, and he insinuates that Trump term one did nothing to stop Putin.
2) He then basically tells Vance that his ideas are faulty and that the administration's diplomacy won't work.
These two comments are *deliberately antagonistic.* Everything was all well and good, but Zelensky took two major shots in a public forum, and they had to respond. And respond they did.
Recall, this is the guy who interfered in our electoral politics and called VP "too radical," and bashed Trump in an interview with New York Mag weeks before the election.
Zelensky is ENTIRELY at fault here. 100%.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio just gave one of the BEST interviews I have watched in defense of President Trump's Ukraine and Russia strategy.
President Trump picked a seasoned media veteran like Rubio for moments like these, here is the full interview!