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Trump abdicates role as leader of free world because he doesn’t support American values
Fox News.com ^ | July 21, 2019 | Roger Fisk

Posted on 07/21/2019 5:40:01 PM PDT by Kaslin

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To: Kaslin
Hey Fisk, get a clue. There is no free press because of the press itself, not Trump.

The media is this country is no longer free. They are heavily influenced, swayed and for the most part, are in-bed with the socialist, communists and ne'er-do-wells. They are the propaganda arm of the democRAT party.

Fake, yes but not free.

And President Trump has said it before. He is not the president of the world. He is the president of the United States.

41 posted on 07/21/2019 6:13:44 PM PDT by HotHunt (Been there. Done that.)
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To: Paladin2

For the first time since the end of World War I, the president of the United States is not the leader of the free world.

When the guns fell silent at the end of the Great War on Nov. 11, 1918, Europe was in ashes after more than four years of fighting. America was newly ascendant, a leader in manufacturing, science, military power and global influence – with a home front untouched by the destruction of war.

Our leading role as the most powerful and influential nation on Earth was solidified with our victory in World War II.

We never looked back — until now.

America remains the cultural and political North Star for individuals around the globe and a magnet for immigrants. As a society we will carry the cultural torch for self-determination and the inherent rights of individuals everywhere.

In addition, the U.S. remains the most powerful nation on the planet.

But unlike his predecessors in the past 100 years, President Trump is not the leader of the free world. To hold that title, the president of the United States must be seen the world over as someone who:

Cherishes, protects and espouses the virtues of a free press.
Abides by and advocates for the rule of law.
Protects and where possible expands the rights of citizens – especially in things like voting and dissent.
Closely coordinates with our democratic allies.
Never in my life – from wearing an “Apartheid Sucks” shirt in high school to working for three presidential campaigns – did I doubt that that any Democratic or Republican president regarded himself as a steward of the Western democratic experiment.

Across the board, all our presidents have shared an instinctual historical compass, the foundation of which was the forward march of democracy here domestically and abroad. That instinct was so elemental it barely deserved or received notice.

The arc of human progress in the last couple hundred years goes like this: defined by the inherent rights of the individual – and the belief that those rights are neither granted by monarchs nor churches – government has been held accountable by a free press to serve the people.

In authoritarian nations, the people serve their government. In America, we call our leaders public servants because they work for us. This is our shared inheritance and much blood has been spilled to protect it.

Take note how President Trump – when confronted by elements of the Constitution that may impede or even delay the implementation of his wishes – casually brushes those elements aside as annoyances.

Look at President Trump and apply the same standards:

Cherishing, protecting and espousing the virtues of a free press: Look at leaders around the world who exercise the most brutal suppression of the press. Compare their actions to President Trump, who denounces any news story he doesn’t like as “fake news,” calls journalists “the enemy of the people,” and says things that are not true. Trump admires dictators and seems in many ways to be envious of their ability to jail and punish reporters.

Abiding by and advocating for the rule of law: Take note how President Trump – when confronted by elements of the Constitution that may impede or even delay the implementation of his wishes – casually brushes those elements aside as annoyances.

Add to this his publicly threatening witnesses in an investigation into his campaign, while praising other witnesses so they don’t flip on him. Add to that Trump’s public badgering of those doing the investigation, and trying to fire those doing the investigation. Then look at how Trump has appeared to violate the emoluments clause of the Constitution and raked in cash from foreign governments while in office. Or look at how he has shown overt hostility to any check or balance from co-equal branches of government. Examples of this are the president’s ignoring the legal process for adding a census question, impugning the integrity of a federal judge based on his ethnic background, and ignoring legitimate congressional oversight actions.

Protecting and where possible expanding the rights of citizens, especially in things like voting and dissent: This receives less notice because it is not a routine part of President Trump’s complaints and grievances, But make no mistake that the census question push, and the wink and nod extended to redistricting efforts about to be undertaken by state governments after this next census, is all about diminishing the franchise of voting.

For the first time in our history, diminishing voting rights is a political strategy of one party. And Trump’s recent attacks on four congresswomen for being critical of our government reflects his belief that obedience is superior to dissent, which puts him squarely at odds with our history and what makes this country unique. Had our ancestors obeyed the authority of the British king 240 years ago our country would not exist. Yet today President Trump is actively trying to disempower Americans and portray dissent as anti-American.

Close coordination with our allies: Perhaps the saddest pillar of President Trump’s negligence is the intentional vandalism he has carried out against our international alliances. Born of bloodshed 100 years ago in World War I – then tested and tempered repeatedly since – the trans-Atlantic alliance remains the central vehicle by which we defend the Western Democratic experiment.

President Trump has not missed a single chance to denigrate the alliance and say kind words about the opposing forces. In Trump’s moral universe, a brutal North Korean dictator who fed his uncle to dogs is our friend, while Canada – by far one of our best trading partners and steadiest of allies – is a national security threat. While sending anti-democratic signals to our allies, President Trump sends words of friendship and moral support to dictators and thugs.

President Trump could be all the positive things his base wanted and voted for – a voice for the voiceless, a fighter and an anti-elitist – without his anti-democratic actions.

That said, the American president has to embody certain values and advance – or at least defend – the basic pillars of our country and those like it. To be a leader one has to lead. He has to push and prod, convince enemies and support allies – not denigrate, dismantle and dismiss.

President Trump fails on each count, leaving us with a president who is not the leader of the free world for the first time since our presidents took up that mantle 100 years ago.


42 posted on 07/21/2019 6:13:51 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (This Space For Rant)
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To: Kaslin

The Magic Negro did nothing but go on a world tour an insult and embarrass the USA.


43 posted on 07/21/2019 6:14:05 PM PDT by CodeToad ( Hating on Trump is hating on me and Americans!)
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To: Kaslin

What’s the difference between Never Trumpers, the Squad and baby killing Democrats?

Nothing! They are all POS who would prefer a dictatorship over an American republic.


44 posted on 07/21/2019 6:14:53 PM PDT by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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To: Kaslin

Fox News has not been my source for news in years. Why do we even bother with the any television media?


45 posted on 07/21/2019 6:16:15 PM PDT by 60Gunner (The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. - Plato)
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To: Kaslin
Trump abdicates role as leader of free world

Trump was elected to lead the US, not the "free world". We've had decades of US politicians who think their constituency includes the free-loaders of Europe. Enough. It's long past time the "free world", which is an establishment synonym for Socialist Western Europe, learned to pay for its own defense and led itself.
46 posted on 07/21/2019 6:16:28 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: Kaslin
Best comment on the site:

I realize this is an opinion article, but seriously... not a single example, specific situation or even a quote to support the arguments?

47 posted on 07/21/2019 6:17:51 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (This Space For Rant)
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To: Kaslin

This guy aspires to the level of “lame.” But he just doesn’t cut it. Not breaking out of a self constructed bubble has its consequences, in this case irrelevancy.


48 posted on 07/21/2019 6:19:56 PM PDT by Richard Axtell (The New Day is here! Prepare yourself for "Democratic Totalitarianism!" Beto said so!)
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To: Kaslin
This is a great article -- but not for the reasons the horse's anus who wrote it thinks.

"I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." -- President Donald Trump, 6/1/2017 ... during his announcement that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the Paris Accords

The United States of America is a sovereign nation among many sovereign nations. I like to think we are a great country despite our many flaws, but I have no interest in electing people who are leaders of anything outside our own borders.

These #NeverTrump traitors can take their stupid globalism and stick it up their @sses.

49 posted on 07/21/2019 6:22:27 PM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave." -- Frederick Douglass)
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To: Kaslin

Two words: Carter & Obama


50 posted on 07/21/2019 6:26:26 PM PDT by keving (We the government)
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To: Trump.Deplorable

Who says I do?


51 posted on 07/21/2019 6:27:21 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

It is clear this man is not living in the Midwest the Mountain West, or the deep South. His perspective is that of an elite living in the midst of other so-called elites along the northeast Atlantic coastline or along the Pacific coastline. It is also clear that he does not cherish any faith tradition, as he does not consider the sincerity of anyone’s deep traditional Christian of Jewish faith - except giving fawning respect to Muslims. Trump respects the history of this great nation, and is proud to celebrate our holidays alongside the patriotic citizens.

What problem does he have with Trump and the press? The press is free to write and publish anything they want, and that is exactly what they do whether it is true or not. No one is threatening them with shutting down the press whether electronic or written. Members of the leftist press seem to think they should never encounter criticism; whereas they are free to criticize ad infinitum - ever since Donald Trump rode the down escalator n Trump Tower in 2015.

If anyone dares to put a label on them they cry ‘foul’. Yet they continue to use childlike names for those who do not agree with them; deplorables, Nazi’s, racists, stupid, etc. They sound like kids on a playgroup in middle-school.

I could go on and on, but freepers already know all of this stuff, so I will not bore you anymore.

Trump is more representative of the US citizens than any of the 23 or so left-wing Democrats running for the nomination of the Democrat/Socialists [as AOC calls it].


52 posted on 07/21/2019 6:28:49 PM PDT by Gumdrop (qui)
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To: Kaslin

Our elite (wanna-be) rulers realize that many, many millions of Americans are relieved finally to find someone in a position of power who supports the United States and its struggling people, and for some reason they think they will win by attacking this greatest strength of Trump’s. They are trying to paint one-world globalism and “Americans last” as an American value, when really it’s just a modern, leftist/neo-con value.

Why does the US need to lead rich countries like France and Germany by caving to their values and beliefs? Trump is more popular outside of leftist Europe in Israel, Iraq, Egypt, the Koreas, Japan, Brazil, India, etc., but white neo-Imperialist globalists primarily seem to care about left-wing European countries and what they think of us.

Someone should remind the author that the US’s extremely strict immigration restrictions of the 1920s (designed to preserve the basic character of the country and to encourage immigrants to assimilate) came after WWI, since he doesn’t seem to have a very good grasp of basic American history at all. And while we are at it, the US was the leader worldwide in manufacturing beginning in the late 19th century…did this guy just invent his own version of US history?


53 posted on 07/21/2019 6:29:54 PM PDT by FenwickBabbitt
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To: Kaslin

Opinion....by a blind hater.


54 posted on 07/21/2019 6:30:46 PM PDT by right way right (May we remain sober over mere men, for God really is our only true hope.)
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To: Kaslin

Trump Doctrine: A politician works for the electorate that voted him into office. While all people have rights and are important. A politician should work on the issues and priorities of those who put him in office. He should not switch his priorities after being elected.

A bad politician will claim to work for all people, knowing that all people do not vote for him. And that there would be no all people election to rate his performance.


55 posted on 07/21/2019 6:32:53 PM PDT by poinq
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To: Kaslin

Honestly, these people are out of their minds.
They are the ones putting us and our President at risk.


56 posted on 07/21/2019 6:37:50 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: right way right

That is all it is


57 posted on 07/21/2019 6:38:48 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
What a bunch of Bull 💩!!
58 posted on 07/21/2019 6:42:46 PM PDT by Deplorable American1776 (Proud to be a DeplorableAmerican with a Deplorable Family...even the dog is, too. :-))
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To: Rebelbase

I recorded Fox News Sunday today. When the segment with Nadler came on I fast forwarded so I would not have to listen to that lunatic.


59 posted on 07/21/2019 6:48:33 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

What’s he gotta do? Run around the world bowing to leaders of other countries and apologizing for America? Parachute billions of dollars on a pallet to other countries? Let Ambassadors be tortured, raped and murdered and then decide not send in reinforcements to defend the embassy?


60 posted on 07/21/2019 6:49:19 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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