Boehner and Menendez react to Putin’s op-ed: “I was insulted,” “I almost wanted to vomit”

Hot Air ^ | 9/12/2013

[markomalley]

Via the Free Beacon and the Corner. No surprise that two of O’s few Syria allies in Congress would be outraged on his behalf by Putin’s latest humiliation, but honestly, I’ve been against striking Syria all along and I was irritated by the op-ed too. Makes me wonder how many doves on the Hill are starting to chafe at the obvious enjoyment the Kremlin and its client are taking in embarrassing the White House, notwithstanding the fact that our president spent a full year moronically bumbling his way into this mess. You may hate having Ryan Leaf at quarterback, but that doesn’t make it easier to watch the other team celebrate for 15 minutes in the end zone after they pick him off and run it back. Hitting Syria is unpopular enough with American voters that Putin can probably go on dancing for awhile before sentiments start to shift in Congress, but there’ll be no new “resets” in 2017, needless to say. Coming soon from John McCain’s press shop: It’s time to arm the Novosibirsk rebels.

Speaking of which, why did the Times greenlight Putin’s piece after rejecting an op-ed submitted by McCain when he was GOP nominee in 2008? Both pieces were of national interest because of the stature of the author; both pieces were crafted with an eye to advancing a political agenda, not stating a candid opinion. If campaign talking points don’t qualify as news during a presidential election, why does Kremlin propaganda qualify in the middle of a big UN charade?

[wideawake]

So tired of the Putin fanboys.

Why would you support the expert Communist in the Kremlin when you can't stand the rookie Communist in the White House?

[Don Corleone]

Boehner makes me want to vomit. So There!

[trisham]

All of those politicians who support us becoming involved in Syria’s civil war are nauseating and insult the intelligence of the American people.

[4rcane]

because Putin is no commie. He’s far right of most gop politicians

[cripplecreek]

McCain and Graham screaming for an investigation on Benghazi just means they’re looking at a way of deflecting blame from their scumbag selves.

I haven’t forgotten their cheerleading to go into Libya.

[montag813]

Putin's "exceptionalism" line was clearly a misunderstanding of what that term means to Americans, and was ill-considered. Blame his translator, or perhaps the NYT editors, who hate America more than Putin ever has.
It was clear he has no clue of our concept of "American Exceptionalism", and meant that the U.S. must abide by the U.N. Charter the Senate ratified in 1945 just like every other country, which bars the use of military force except in self-defense or with UNSC approval.

[1rudeboy]

Consider the following comment:

The day has actually arrived when the President of Russia is respected by a very significant percentage of the American people more than the current President of the United States. People follow leaders. It would be chilling if a legitimate poll was conducted.

People just never followed Russian politics, I suppose . . . until they saw some random AP headline regarding homo marriage. I will tell you this, the people who "respect" Putin deserve someone like him, and not an acolyte such as Obama.

[sheana]

I almost wanted to vomit?!?! WTH kind of response is that? What a bunch of losers.

[wideawake]

because Putin is no commie

You've really never heard of the KGB? Really?

[4rcane]

America is exceptional, not because of blood, skin color, foreign policy, or military. America is exceptional because for a long time (til recently) they were the Free-ist country on earth

[henkster]

I’ve only seen bits and pieces of Putin’s op ed (and that’s my fault, I admit it). I’ve also seen bits and pieces of the American ruling class vomiting all over it. That may be my fault but I can only stomach so much.

It still does not change the key facts here:

Russia has a competent leader who knows the national interests of his country and is pursing them aggressively.

America is ruled by an incompetent narcissist, whom the voter of average intellect should have known is unqualified for the office.

[PieterCasparzen]

i haven’t read the op ed... or the article above. Putin’s exception to America’s exceptionalism is probably valid...

The Bible tells us that people are the same in the eyes of God.

I've never fallen for the shallow grasp at my pride where someone tells me I'm exceptional because I'm an American.

I'm just a humble sinner, no better than anyone else.

No nation, including America, as any implicit right to covertly overthrow another nation's government.

Every nation does have the right to defend itself from any attack. Every citizen has a right to go down swinging, right to the end, if they are attacked.

But false evidence of an attack does not legitimize aggression. Americans have been grossly lied to about their own history and the US government - and those who have the most influence on it - have precipitated wars and revolutions. Which infuriates me as an American citizen whose ancesters were in America long before America was America.

The founding fathers NEVER claimed that the "founding documents" gave America any rights superior to those of any other nation.

[4rcane]

KGB? Like CIA? You think all CIA members are capitalist or something? Look at Putin’s economic policies

from wiki
During Putin’s eight years in office, industry grew by 76%, investments increased by 125%,[17] and agricultural production and construction increased as well. Real incomes more than doubled and the average monthly salary increased sevenfold from $80 to $640.[15][18] From 2000 to 2006 the volume of consumer credit increased 45 times[136][137] and the middle class grew from 8 million to 55 million. The number of people living below the poverty line decreased from 30% in 2000 to 14% in 2008.[17][138]
In 2001, Putin, who has advocated liberal economic policies, introduced a flat tax rate of 13%;[139][140] the corporate rate of tax was also reduced from 35 percent to 24 percent;[139] Small businesses also get better treatment. The old system with high tax rates has been replaced by a new system where companies can choose either a 6-percent tax on gross revenue or a 15-percent tax on profits.[139] The overall tax burden is lower in Russia than in most European countries.[141]

[Alter Kaker]

It’s still a gas-and-oil economy. Oil prices or yields fall, and Russia is in trouble.

[1rudeboy]

And I forgot to mention: the day you hear that Obama is collaborating with Putin on policy issues (setting aside this farce about Syria and the issue of homo marriage), is the day our Republic ends.

[4rcane]

While I agree that most of Russia’s current wealth is due to resource sector. Thats no different to Norway, Australia or Canada. The fact is, Putin run a low tax government. Other sectors will take some time to grow

[Old North State]

Menendez probably caught something from one of those 13 year old DR hookers he's so fond of.

[Iron Munro]

Blame the Nancy Boy in the White House.

Putin is a back alley bully and Obama is a pussy with rich, powerful friends- it’s a classic match up.

[pallis]

Don’t vomit you silly boys. Threaten to kick Putin’s butt. That will have him quaking in his boots.

[grania]

If governments would just stop paying back debts to national banks they'd have a real lot of money to shore up national economies.

If there's globalism it causes wealth and power to flow upwards away from nations and their inhabitants.

In the long run if globalism collapses, (after a period of transition), who suffers except the globalists?

This is where I am at the thought stage. I really don't know enough to have a positive view.