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Chicago SunTimes: Donald Trump and Benedict Arnold
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/trump-russian-interference-election-benedict-arnold/. . . . The only really famous betrayer of our country is that original American traitor, Benedict Arnold. Most Americans know the name, though could not, I would bet, offer up much regarding who Arnold was or what he did to earn his deathless disgrace. Arnold was a hero in the Continental Army. . . A brave general. But by 1779, motivated by petty slights and a need for money, Arnold began communicating with the British. He accepted the command of West Point specifically because there he could “render the most essential service” to our enemy.Arnold’s treason was twofold. Not only did he convey the design of the fort to the British, but in the summer of 1780, he neglected the defenses of West Point. He did not keep his troops in readiness because he planned to surrender the fort. Maybe you see where I’m going with this. That second part of Arnold’s treason is relevant today.
. . . .
The president, who has been dismissing this attack on our country as a “hoax” and “fake news” for over a year, leapt to defend, not the country, but himself. “Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President,” he tweeted, dodging the point. (By 2013, Trump had already spent $1 million exploring a potential bid.) “The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong — no collusion!” Maybe yes. Maybe no. More indictments will come, and we’ll see who among Trump’s inner circle, or Trump himself, is accused of illegal acts.
But right now, there is unarguable neglect if not betrayal going on in plain sight: Donald Trump has ignored — and is dismissing — a real, proven ongoing attack against this country. Instead of mobilizing forces to our nation’s aid, the president, like Benedict Arnold at West Point, has allowed our defenses to crumble.
When Arnold’s treason was uncovered, he fled. Those who trusted him were in shock. They did not make excuses, did not waffle. They accepted the obvious. “Arnold has betrayed us!” George Washington said, fighting tears. “Whom can we trust now?” We cannot trust the president, not because of what he may or may not have done in secret in the past, but because of what he is clearly doing or, rather, not doing, right now: defending our country against foreign enemies. We need to thwart a Russian attack on our system of government, and the president isn’t helping.
. . . .
The president, who has been dismissing this attack on our country as a “hoax” and “fake news” for over a year, leapt to defend, not the country, but himself. “Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President,” he tweeted, dodging the point. (By 2013, Trump had already spent $1 million exploring a potential bid.) “The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong — no collusion!” Maybe yes. Maybe no. More indictments will come, and we’ll see who among Trump’s inner circle, or Trump himself, is accused of illegal acts.
But right now, there is unarguable neglect if not betrayal going on in plain sight: Donald Trump has ignored — and is dismissing — a real, proven ongoing attack against this country. Instead of mobilizing forces to our nation’s aid, the president, like Benedict Arnold at West Point, has allowed our defenses to crumble.
When Arnold’s treason was uncovered, he fled. Those who trusted him were in shock. They did not make excuses, did not waffle. They accepted the obvious. “Arnold has betrayed us!” George Washington said, fighting tears. “Whom can we trust now?” We cannot trust the president, not because of what he may or may not have done in secret in the past, but because of what he is clearly doing or, rather, not doing, right now: defending our country against foreign enemies. We need to thwart a Russian attack on our system of government, and the president isn’t helping.
14 replies
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Perfect. 
I will steal your phrase shamelessly, but for a good cause, I promise.
I see a Mexican candidate for President is using it, too.. lol
“Mexico will never again be treated like a doormat for the U.S..."
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1992112
Unlike his congress
passed it on to one OP in GE..
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10259679
Thanks again!
