Eric Boehlert: Stop whitewashing GOP's Putin worship

[babylonsister]

https://pressrun.media/p/stop-whitewashing-gops-putin-bromance

Stop whitewashing GOP's Putin worship
A burning bromance
Eric Boehlert
4 hr ago


American politicians cheerleading a dictator as he sends tanks into a neighboring country and bombs a sovereign nation ought to be a huge news story. The fact that portions of a major U.S. political party, and its aligned media outlets, sanction Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine represents a stunning turning point for the Republican Party and how this country traditionally deals with foreign crises.

Assigning its loyalty and admiration to the Kremlin instead of the West Wing, key parts of the GOP, led by Trump who called Putin’s move “genius,” is embracing a truly radical worldview. But that’s not how the treasonous behavior is being portrayed by the press, which for days has matter-of-factly described the GOP as being “divided” over the prospect of a tyrannical Russian leader — his adversaries regularly end up dead — launching an invasion.

Ho-hum language abounds. There’s been a “split,” the New York Times reports, suggesting that Republicans who turn a blind eye to Putin’s invasion are merely “America First” “isolationists.” The party is facing “foreign policy factionalism,” Politico insisted. It’s sending “mixed messages,” NBC News announced, which went on to describe the GOP’s pro-Putin wing as “a newer brand of America Firsters,” “Republican doves,” and “the libertarian right” which has an “anti-interventionist strain.” None of that accurately describes this unprecedented trend in American politics of endorsing murderous autocrats.

snip//

Today it’s not just about oppositional politics — it’s not the GOP conveniently and temporarily embracing Putin because he’s squaring off against another Democratic president. Instead, it’s genuine admiration of an undemocratic strongman imposing his will, which is exactly why Republicans slavishly supported Trump for four years. This is another glimpse into the growing, and unapologetic, undemocratic movement within the GOP — and the press portrays it as normal.

snip//

Stop whitewashing the madness.

[C_U_L8R]

1. Follow the g-d money !

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

I'm more than a little tired of people who pretend the GOP is simply offering up a different view when in actuality they are deliberately undermining the country.

[SheltieLover]

3. Same here!

[Solly Mack]

5. You don't tolerate people actively trying to destroy the country.

You don't treat them as if they are the friendly opposition because there is nothing friendly about their actions.

It's not simply the marketplace of ideas and it's all a case of whose ideas win out - it's about ideas and ideologies that undermine the country and erode our democratic principles and processes v. the ideas and ideologies that seek to uphold the fundamentals of a free society.

Once a group's ideology seeks to destroy those fundamentals, they are not offering a different approach to maintaining the foundation of our government, they are seeking to overthrow it.

[SheltieLover]

8. They should be designated a terrorist org!

[crickets]

20. Well said. nt

[thomski64]

24. Facist billionaires

.. who support Putin should have their accounts frozen,
and any US property seized, starting with Mar-a-Lago.

[niyad]

4. KNR

[The Mouth]

6. I'll take this posturing seriously when we

STOP IMPORTING OIL FROM RUSSIA or doing *any* business/diplomatic relations with any country that does.

Money talks, bullshit walks.

" The U.S. imported almost 8.3 million barrels a day of crude oil and refined products in the week ending Feb. 11. While others obsess over energy independence, oil refiners choose the most economic barrels to use, not just ones with stars and stripes on them. And roughly one in 12 of those imported barrels comes from Russia."

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-02-22/biden-s-ukraine-response-is-mired-in-barrels-of-russian-oil

Fucking Kabuki theater until neither we nor any ally and/or country we give the slightest aid to buys one CENT of Russian gas or oil.

[Traildogbob]

12. Wow!

I did not know that. All the shouting about trump making us energy independent. Don’t forget trump started importing Russian asbestos (and major export for Putin, and eliminated safety regs in its use, the first month he sat his ass in our house. No word on eliminating that EO, while asbestoses law suit commercials continue everyday.

[yonder]

16. Thanks for this

[BlueIdaho]

7. The GOP is not a political party

It is a terrorist organization hell bent on destroying our American Democracy. If praising Putin helps their agenda to overthrow our government - so be it.

[SheltieLover]

9. Exactly!

[onetexan]

39. Bingo!!

[Pantagruel]

10. If I recall

the American response to Hitler invading Czechoslovakia was not universal condemnation either. While disgusting , this reaction is not historically unprecedented.

[czarjak]

23. My Czech heritage neighbor has been all-in on Trump. I love digging him with...

"All the good things Hitler did" like invading his grandparents.

[BobTheSubgenius]

11. Yes, of course. Tiananmen Square was just a joyous celebration of Spring. With tanks.

Those purges in Myanmar, Serbia, Ivory Coast, Cambodia and others were not genocide. They were just zealously trying to make their census numbers match projections.

[dlk]

13. Seems like treason to me

Time to start saying it out loud.

[calimary]

36. Yep. To me as well.

When you’re rooting for the sworn enemy of the United States, seems to me that’s exactly what you are: TREASONOUS.

That goes for YOU, TOO, Pompeo. Think we’re all gonna forget when you try to run for President?

[onetexan]

40. +1 -K&R

[rickford66]

14. I always believed the GOP was hacked in 2015 like the Dems.

Lot's of dirt to make GOPers toe the line.

[calimary]

37. That actually makes sense. Sure would explain why they're suddenly so gung-ho for Putin.

[Wounded Bear]

15. K & R...nt

[lefthandedskyhook]

17. This is a slam dunk post

Thanks Babylon Sister

[MiHale]

18. KnR nt.

[dchill]

19. Putin is calling in his chits.

Players gotta play.

[calimary]

21. No Freakin' Kidding!!!!!

[PennyPenny]

22. Racist White Nationalism

Is what’s driving the love for Putin by the right-wing. They see in him what they long for in this Country, an white racist authoritarian leader that answers to know one. It’s not about Country anymore, it’s about race.

[flying_wahini]

43. Welcome to DU PennyPenny!

[Paladin]

25. Why aren't Republicans PAYING IN ANY WAY for this bullshit?

There's not nearly enough Democratic anger and action on this. As usual, the Republicans are doing as they please---because they do not fear us. We're making it way too easy for them. Again, as usual.

[treestar]

44. The Democrats aren't the media

The media would not show the Democrats' condemnations. And would get pundits to comment on how they are wrong.

[TeamProg]

26. Thanks for posting. n/t

[Initech]

27. Putin is a war criminal! Time to start treating him like such!

And any conservatives who support Putin? They're traitors.

[ificandream]

28. Time also to stop sweeping the Fake station's love of Putin and this invasion under the rug.

What they're doing is playing right in his hands and for those who would spread disinformation. The Fake station should be condemned for its actions.

[llashram]

29. amazing

historically and relatively, now

[onecaliberal]

30. The GOP and republicon party are anti american, anti democratic criminals. They belong in prison

their supporters need to be shamed and shunned out of polite society. I've had enough, the invasion of Ukraine should be a stark warning to all of us if we don't stop this bullshit now.

[Oliver Bolliver Butt]

31. let's not forget this photo

[Pepsidog]

35. Has anyone EVER seen Trump with such a broad smile and genuinely looking happy as he did here? Right

before or after gossiping with his buddies about Israel’s biggest secret. The Traitor probably peed his Depends with joy and happiness. Trump never smiles like this.

[Cha]

32. & Stop Normalizing this Shit, m$$$$$m

Do you want our country taken Over by the Russian Enablers?

[ENO in 2024]

33. Anxiety attacks

My country is divided and the1/6 investigation would help. Seems the invasion was timed to stall and disrupt that investigation. 3256594010. My insurrection supporting US Rep Augush Pleugert San Angelo office number. He is against President Biden and saying the typical republican talking treason points. He and Bice from Illinois wrote an op Ed called.....Midland over Moscow. It's also the name of his bill he's put forth. These classy millionaires. Gag.
Thanks Babylon Sister.
That Maga lover, traitor US veteran auggie made his millions off oil and gas. Running unopposed in my Texas county. His number is in the book. All these people planned this entire coup for orange Julius Ceasar. I digress.

[BlueWavePsych]

34. K&R

[onetexan]

41. Yup, and they're calling Dems communists

[spanone]

38. ...and the press portrays it as normal.

Amen, Eric.

I watched our media grill Joe Biden at his speech the other day.

I have zero faith in them and zero respect for them.

[UCmeNdc]

42. K&R

[Evolve Dammit]

45. The media is really dropping the ball on this. Free pass. Great post.