Another global spectacle by President Trump, this time in Alaska, on Aug. 15, when he stood on an actual red carpet and played acolyte and cypher to a superior negotiator, tactician and strategist, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Days before, Trump had bombasted vainglorious assertions that he’d put red line demands on Putin and, if the Russian demurred, quit the room in two minutes. Three hours later, Trump emerged looking like he’d lost a street fight, with Putin gleaming, with photos published worldwide showing Trump, in effect, on bent knee.
Plus Putin bought, at zero cost, more time for Russia further to ransack Ukraine — free of any U.S. led nullification of the war. The going joke was whether Trump would also offer to return Alaska to Russia.
The last person to get Trump’s pliant ear gets Trump. He left Anchorage saying “Thank you very much, Vladimir” to the charming war crimes indictee, murderer, child kidnapper, giddy bombardier, real estate trespasser, alley thug and, like Trump himself, renowned liar — though Putin’s the better one.
President Teddy Roosevelt, 1906 Peace Nobelist, said: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Trump, Peace Nobelist wannabe, advises: “Roar loudly and carry a big fat cream puff.”
Ken Olson
East Andover
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