By Carol Lucas
Last Friday, I had another article partially completed when I decided to take a break and watch the so-called “meeting” between President Trump and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
As everyone gathered in the room adjacent to the Oval Office, it became apparent that the bystanders far outnumbered those who had negotiated a deal. That should have been an immediate red flag. This was not just a photo-op for the signing of an agreement (extortion in my humble opinion, but more on that later). No, something more nefarious was in the wind.
Perhaps it was Susan Rice who nailed it when she said, “it was a set-up.” More accurately, it was a bullying session where Trump brought along his up-to-now well hidden VP, J.D. Vance. Just when I thought J.D. had been assigned to animal patrol, you know, keeping the dogs and cats safe in Ohio.
But no, there he was, ready and quite willing to throw in his two cents in a way that made him every bit as much a bully as Trump. Ah, there is so much to be said for bringing a buddy along when you aren’t sure you are smart enough to fight the fight alone.
It is good to note, however, that when Vance and family left D.C. for a ski vacation in Vermont, he was “welcomed” with a miles-long group of protesters carrying signs of disgust. These people also surrounded his lodge to the point he had to relocate to an undisclosed location. But then, dear reader, I digress.
I cannot remember a time in my almost 83 years on this planet that I have been more mortified for my country than I was at that moment. The two men heading the free world bullying a third man who is fighting for his country.
And sitting beside Vance was “little Marco,” Secretary of State, looking pained, yet mute the entire time. If he wasn’t asking himself, “Where do I fit into this, given my position?” he certainly should have been.
Secure with his backup of sycophants, Trump screamed, “You’re gambling with World War III!” Later he added, “you don’t have the cards. You’re buried there.” He concluded with, “You either make a deal or we are out.” As one reporter later said, “Surrender to Putin. Tony Soprano couldn’t have conducted himself better.”
But let’s go back to the beginning, the “welcome” as Zelensky exited his car outside of the White House. Trump’s opening comment was, “Oh, look, you’re all dressed up.” He then turned to someone standing nearby and repeated this.
Now I find this grotesque display of ignorance interesting on two levels. First it was foreshadowing, albeit petty, of things to come. Furthermore, it was planned, and it was going to be underscored by a repeat from a far right reporter, Brian Glenn, representing Real America’s Voice. “Don’t you own a suit?” asked Mr. Glenn, then going on to say it was disrespectful to the Oval Office.
Of course, it’s worth noting that Mr. Glenn is dating Margery Taylor Green, so we can understand his vision of what is classy. Again, I digress.
What was true class was Zelensky’s response: “I will wear a ‘costume’ when this war is finished.”
Another added aspect to this fiasco lies with the press: who was permitted in and who was not. It came out that there was a representative of TASS, the Russian state media association. He was on the list of hand-picked reporters to attend although the White House denied he was permitted entry. They stated he was escorted out, once the discovery was made.
Two things: no way would this “escorting” not have caused a ruckus big enough to be televised. Furthermore, remember the ABC and Reuters have been banished from such events by the White House.
So, as I watched our foreign policy makers hold what could rightfully be called a public execution, not with bullets but with bullying, I became enraged. I admit to going through my house uttering words that, had my mother been around, she would have rushed for that often-threatened bar of soap.
Yes, I have been outraged by much of what Trump II has done to demolish our democracy in such a short time. Research, however, gave me this: “outrage is a natural, normal, healthy response to an outrageous event (especially when compared to apathy or indifference), and can be effective in initiating change. Rage, on the other hand, is an out of control, lower-brain reaction that can have us making decisions that we would not recommend to someone we love.”
Before concluding, let me remind you of this: Zelensky was here to sign an agreement that deals with his having to hand over Ukraine’s mineral rights to the U.S. in exchange for security from the U.S. To me this reeks of extortion, “kick a man while he is down,” something I can’t think speaks well for us. Desperation on Ukraine’s part makes this even more despicable.
I admit it, and I’m not especially proud … well, maybe a little. I gave into full blown rage last Friday as I watched the President and Vice President conduct what was a well-planned ambush on the President of Ukraine, an incident that may go down in history as the most embarrassing time for our country … so far. I hate to imagine what may lie in wait with the Mafia in the White House.
For now I will continue to express my outrage, trying my best to remain healthy. That so many other countries have expressed their support for Zelensky and Ukraine helps.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
