The Trump–Putin Summit: The U.S. President Must Be Strong, Clear, and Consistent

Tony Branco

Russia’s actions today have their roots in the failure of the Obama Administration’s “reset,” combined with Putin’s imperial ambitions. Russia has been able to exploit the situation to its own benefit, calculating that the West will not respond in any significant way. Putin cannot be a partner to the U.S. under current conditions. The sooner President Trump understands this, the safer America and her allies will be.

Heritage  "On July 16, President Donald Trump will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. President Trump should go into this summit with his eyes wide open. Since coming to power in 1999, Putin has never shown that he can be a trusted partner of the United States. At almost every opportunity, he has pursued policies that undermine America’s national interests and those of its closest partners. President Trump should use this meeting as an opportunity to press Putin on issues like aggression against Ukraine and Georgia, Moscow’s support for Syria and Iran, and meddling in the election campaigns of Western democracies.

Key Takeaways:

• "Putin has not been good for Russia. To distract his people from their many woes, he has pursued a dangerously aggressive and expansionist foreign policy.
• "Since coming to power in 1999, Putin has pursued policies that undermine America’s national interests and those of its closest partners.
• "At the summit in Helsinki, President Trump should reiterate U.S. commitment to Europe, and be clear about which behaviors are unacceptable.

. . .

Same liberal media called Reagan ‘war-monger’ and Trump ‘accommodationist’ on Russia  . . . "The only way it makes sense is to look at what is good for liberals. Liberals had a not-so-secret crush on the Soviet Union because it was a communist country. Liberals loved, and still love, communism, even as they rebrand it KFC and IHOP-style with names like "progressivism" and "socialism".

"But liberals hate Russia because Russia tried to interfere in our elections against Hillary. Liberals feel that a bunch of Twitter and Facebook bots tossed the election to Donald Trump. They really believe this. Perhaps they felt that all the Russian-originated Facebook posts somehow counteracted the legions of illegal aliens who voted for Hillary. So liberals hate Russia because they think that Russia tried to stop Hillary from winning the election." . . .

Never forget this:

FLASHBACK: Media Gushed Over Obama’s Euro Trip

MRC  (cartoons added by TD)

"An overseas trip has done nothing to quell the liberal media’s war of words with President Donald Trump, but when Barack Obama went on his first Euro-trip as president, he and First Lady Michelle Obama were lavished with bouquets from the press.
"On the March 31, 2009 edition of MSNBC’s Hardball, host Chris Matthews gushed over the scenes from London: “He is the new us! That’s right, President Obama is in London tonight as the new emblem of the American people. He is us, just as - to the consternation of our allies and the often cringey-ness of his countrymen - George W. Bush was us for eight years....I thought about that scene for months, the first time they get to come as our American couple - to represent us, really in a new way, a kind of a sophisticated new leadership.”
"An overly impressed Chuck Todd, on the April 1, 2009 NBC Nightly News, was amazed by Obama’s pace: “In just a few short hours, the President was able to do a diplomatic decathlon, packing in a week’s worth of international diplomacy into 12 hours.”

"ABC anchor David Muir, on the April 4 World News, boasted that other world leaders were mere nerds compared to Obama: “As we wrap up the week we wanted to take note of these images we’ve been looking at, particularly this one where other heads of state are seemingly trying to get close to the head of the class, or the cool kid in the class, if you will, President Obama.”
"And of course Michelle Obama received the celebrity-like coverage that, so far, First Lady Melania Trump has yet to garner from the liberal press. On April 1, 2009 CNN’s Alino Cho offered this glowing review: “There’s no denying that Michelle Obama is a rock star in America, but how is her style and personality playing abroad? Well, the early reviews are very good. The apparent love affair with the U.S. First Lady is flourishing in Europe.” Over on the April 1, 2009 Today show, NBC’s Keith Miller cooed: “What the Obamas bring to Buckingham Palace is a charisma not seen since the Kennedys, when the First Lady, Jacqueline, dazzled the royal court.”
"The following are just a few examples of over-the-top gushing the Obamas received from the liberal media from their 2009 European trip, as culled from the MRC archives: " . . .  Keep reading...

2014: MSNBC Gushes Over Obama’s Press Conference ‘Swagger’

You remember MSNBC, don't you? It was the network of choice playing in many scenes from "Law & Order" in the 2000s.

From The Depths Of Hell, Hillary Clinton 2020 Could Be Brewing; Until Then The Whining Will Continue

Trump won more electoral votes and in this case, more states than Hillary. She’s a loser.

Update: But first, did you hear what Hillary said about Brett Kavanaugh? Clinton said that Brett Kavanaugh Will Bring Back Slavery

 Matt Vespa  "Whether Democrats realize it or not, the names being tossed as potential 2020 challengers to President Trump are weak. It’s milquetoast. All far too left for the American voter, and all with rigid regional appeal. Who knows who Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is outside of New Jersey? The same could be said for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) doesn’t resonate outside of the Boston suburbs. And Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), well, she’s working hard to boost her profile, but she’s running aground with the Bernie crowd. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) could run again, but his age—and the fact that the DNC will only allow Democrats to run for their nomination, could put Feel The Bern 2.0 in limbo. So, what else can Democrats do, but accept the third presidential run of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Why is she still around? Why doesn’t she shut up? Can we move on? Nope. There are some rumblings that the former first lady and two-time presidential loser could be staging another go for the White House. Michael Goodwin had an op-ed that outlined the case, along with the many eye rolls from Democrats had when he mentioned the idea of a rematch (via NY Post): 

Not long ago, I told a group of friends, all liberal Dems, that I believed she was keeping open the possibility of a rematch against Trump, and might already have decided to run. It was unanimous — they were horrified. “I would not give her a single cent,” one man, formerly a big donor to Clinton, said emphatically. Their reasons are no surprise: Her moment has passed, she was a terrible candidate and her endless claims of victimhood are tiring rather than inspiring. It’s time to find new blood. […] Here’s how I believe she sees the playing field, and why she can’t be ignored. . . .

Does Hillary Clinton ever get 'tard' of whining?

"Ever wondered why you can't stand Hillary Clinton?

"It's not just her leftwing ideas.

"It's because she manages, always, without fail, in her speeches to be hackneyed, grating and whining, too. And cripes, she's still a liar. A good demagogue will take grains of truth and then twist them - Hillary is different: A purveyor of straight up 100-proof lies, painting an alternative reality." . . .

This guy will wish he had picked Starbucks instead

A  California court would side with the crook, you know?

Thomas Lifson  . . . "So, when I saw this video from Tulsa (Hat tip, Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit, who calls it “heartwarming”), I took a perhaps inappropriate level of personal satisfaction, given that I am thousands of miles away, and have never myself confronted a thief. And, according to the accompanying article, one of the brave workers required 16 stitches from a box cutter wound.

"Many large chains forbid their employees from resisting robbery attempts, probably fearful of liability for injuries to both perps and employees.  I certainly hope that this is not the response(sic) of the unnamed restaurant in Tulsa. These guys are heroes in my book."

CNN Commentator: Trump Asking Russia to Release Hillary Emails ‘Almost Treasonous’

I saw something today - Sunday, July 15th, 2018- exactly like this on CNN's Jake Tapper show about 1:3- 2:30 pm in, by the way, a McDonald's. There was the same CNN banner stating Donald Trump asked the Russians for help finding Hillary's emails, knowing all along that Mr. Trump was being ironic. In the same way when candidate John McCain jokingly replied it was about six million, adding this remark would be distorted by Obama who sat near him. It was indeed. By Obama: TD

Anti Trump Derangement Syndrome

Snopes says True, but elaborates without judging Obama. "Although this item is “true” in the strictly literal sense that John McCain did make the remark attributed to him, how much importance to place upon it is a subjective issue. Predictably, Democrats painted Senator McCain’s remarks as indicative of his being out of touch with ordinary Americans and desirous of giving tax breaks to the rich, while the McCain campaign dismissed the candidate’s statement as an obvious joke. (A Democratic National Committee video spotlighted Senator McCain’s “$5 million” statement while omitting the remarks that surrounded it; the full exchange in context can be viewed here.) "

CNN and the left: a marriage made in hell.

Mediaite

"CNN commentator Christine Quinn went there in reaction to Donald Trump asking Russia to release Hillary Clinton‘s missing 30,000 emails."Trump today said, “They probably have her 33,000 emails that she lost and deleted. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.”"Quinn was stunned by that and cried, “It’s honestly almost treasonous!”"Fellow CNN commentator Andre Bauer shot back, “It’s treasonous to have 30,000 emails disappear! It’s treasonous to the American public!”"They fought as Quinn called Trump irresponsible and Bauer insisted Trump just “wants to be friendly with everybody.' ” . . .

In an internet search, the entire first page supported the distorted,  anti-Trump version. Finally on page two of the Bing search: ‘Of course I’m being sarcastic’: MSM misses Trump’s joke on Russia & Hillary emails.  They didn't miss it; they chose this interpretation. The Tunnel Dweller.

I say President Trump has not spawned this evil from the left; he has revealed it.

Tony Branco at The Federalist

I do not expect all this vitriol to pass when Trump is gone. This is what you will see out of the socialist Democrats from now on. TD 

"Not only did he look like a creep but he acted like one. He lied to his wife at breakfast about his mistress. As for Republicans and Democrats politicizing the event, it is what they do. It is like puppies peeing on the carpet. They cannot control themselves."   Don Surber

Socio-Political-Journal

Peter Strzok’s arrogance is the product of a corrupt FBI  . . . "Gradually, though, anger gave way to amazement as Strzok grew increasingly combative and condescending. Given his predicament, the sneering and smirking were stupid, and yet he persisted." . . .  Rudy Guiliani calls Strzok a "disgrace"

Why The Peter Strzok Hearing Was A Giant Waste Of Time, said Ben Shapiro at the Daily Wire.
. . . "Perhaps the only thing the hearing accomplished was to make everyone look rather terrible. Republicans looked like they wanted their moment in the sun; Democrats looked like they were defending bias in law enforcement; Strzok looked like a self-assured, smug jerk." . . .

No, Ben, it was a Strzok of genius
. . . "Wrong. The Strzok hearing showed this loon for who he is." . . .
. . . "Shapiro said the central question was "Did Strzok’s bias affect the Russian collusion investigation?"
"How could it not be? He showed himself to be a smug insider who sneered at congressmen. Of course he tried to stop the election of President Trump.
"His testimony may have sunk the already listing Mueller investigation." . . .

Peter Strzok's Smirk Said He Was Lying  . . . "The shrinks call that "inappropriate affect" and it sure was.  What the hell was this guy smirking about? Even in the remote possibility (oh, how remote) that his bias had no direct political and investigatory consequence, he had shamed himself, his family, and the FBI and its personnel tremendously, damaging the organization materially for years to come. And yet he was smirking.
"In fact, he wasn't just smirking.  He was fighting back as if he were the wounded party. One "useful idiot" on the Democratic side even said he deserved the Purple Heart." . . .

The Strzok Hearing Shows How Deeply Corrupt DC Has Become – Defiance And Chaos Rule The Floor  . . . "I watched parts of the Strzok hearing today and it ticked me off. I was so angry, I couldn’t even write on it. I’ve calmed down a bit now and I wanted to give you an update on today’s treasonous activities. The Democrats actually applauded Strzok’s obstruction today."
"I watched parts of the Strzok hearing today and it ticked me off. I was so angry, I couldn’t even write on it. I’ve calmed down a bit now and I wanted to give you an update on today’s treasonous activities. The Democrats actually applauded Strzok’s obstruction today." . . .

"The first thing I saw this morning after Denise Simon kindly pointed it out, was Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) highlighting the number of guilty pleas and indictments secured by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. As he spoke, Democratic staffers then held up five large posters showing the three Trump campaign officials – including Michael Flynn and Rick Gates – and two campaign associates who have pleaded guilty to charges in the special counsel’s probe. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) interrupted Cummings and questioned if the posters were appropriate. But unfortunately, the Republicans could not cite a rule disallowing the disgraceful display, so it was allowed." . . .

. . . "Rep. Trey Gowdy gets the prize though for actually having a spine on the floor and slapping Strzok over his actions. I thoroughly enjoyed Gohmert, Gowdy and Jordan nailing the asshat. Gowdy told Strzok that he doesn’t “give a damn” what Strzok appreciated or wanted. Good for him and the rest of us don’t either." . . .

Black Leaders Call for More Civility, Official Rebuke of Maxine Waters

Daily Signal  "Responding to inflammatory remarks by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., other African-American leaders gathered Thursday morning on Capitol Hill to appeal for civility and for Congress to censure Waters.

"Many saw Waters’ remarks as calling on supporters to continue confronting and harassing members of President Donald Trump’s administration, heightening a lack of civility in American public discourse.

" 'Her call to extremism, based on where another American citizen works and who they associate with, must be sternly addressed by [House] Speaker Paul Ryan,” Star Parker, president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, said of Waters, adding: 

An apology is not enough, nor does she offer one, after being asked by [the] House speaker. As we move into two months of intense debate over the next [Supreme Court] nomination, the censuring of Maxine Waters becomes of extreme urgency.

 video here

[Star] Parker’s Center for Urban Renewal and Education, a nonprofit that works to fight poverty through market-based policy, organized the press conference with leaders of five other conservative groups and Christian ministries.

Hat tip to Dale Brooks at Expose Liberals & Media Bias

More here

Thoughts on the hearings and he who Rush Limbaugh calls "Struck-Smirk"

And any American could be the subject of an out-of-control FBI agent’s personal animus and would have to put up with it, pay tons in lawyers fees, answer the damn questions, or end up in jail.

Thunder Strzok  "The creepiest witness to ever grace a Congressional hearing, minced in his seat and evaded questions for hours on end Thursday. His name? Peter Strzok (pronounced “Struck” for the Democrats on the committee who kept mispronouncing it). The general impression from his testimony? What a complete weirdo. It is astonishing that someone so strange, supercilious and seemingly evil reached so high a position in law enforcement.
"Congressional hearings are always obnoxious but usually it’s the Congressmen and women who are weird, unprofessional, and nonsensical (and there was plenty of that) but they all were upstaged by the paragon of the executive branch, Peter Strzok." . . .

Peter's 'principles' damaged public's faith in FBI  . . . "Instead, he expressed regret that others used his irresponsible words to attack the FBI. Nice deflection attempt, Peter, but you own those words, despite your weak-chinned efforts to separate yourself from them. You, not others, did the damage to the FBI, the institution you professed to “love.' ” . . .

Strzok angrily referred to this unfortunate Trump incident. 

At the time my reaction to Trump was much the same and I naturally became a never-Trumper. As President now, I see his skills in running this nation, what he has done to ISIS, how he has stood up to Iran compared with the feckless Obama, how he cares for this nation as opposed to Obama's embarrassment over it and - I fear - the left's running it in the future. 
Are President Trump's unfortunate remarks about the Khans as despicable as witnessing Hillary lying about the Benghazi dead to their families while standing beside the caskets of their sons? Did that anger you, Agent Strzok? TD

Cohen’s “Purple Heart” comment spurs veteran protest  "According to the Tennessean, Steve Cohen’s comment the other day about how he wished that he could award FBI agent Peter Strzok a Purple Heart for the abuse he received from Republicans at a congressional hearing has angered Memphis veterans;" . . .

Strzok Ignored Evidence That Hillary’s Emails Were Sent to a Foreign Entity
"Rep. Louis Gohmert, a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, said during a hearing Thursday that a government watchdog found that nearly all of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails were sent to a foreign entity. The FBI, specifically Strzok, did not follow-up." . . .

Remember that "War on Women"?

The Democrats’ Phony 'War on Women' Has Come Home to Roost  "In the 2012 presidential election, the left successfully painted Mitt Romney, an extraordinarily decent man, as anti-woman. In 2018, people can finally see this for what it was – hogwash. 

"When Obama was up for reelection, the Democrats were taking no chances. They seized on a line from Romney in one of the debates where he said he had “binders full of women” who he would like to hire. He was talking about loose-leaf binders full of resumes from qualified female job candidates, but none of that mattered to the Democrats or their media allies, who just wanted to advance the narrative that Mitt Romney was anti-woman. 

"The success of the “War on Women” campaign was summed up perfectly on a different, yet equally fake topic. When asked about his repeated and false claims about Mitt Romney not paying his taxes, Harry Reid replied: “It worked, didn’t it?” It did indeed, Harry. Mitt Romney lost to Obama amid claims that if Romney had his way, life would be a disaster for American women. Sound familiar?" . . .

American Thinker

Jimmy Kimmel Wades Into Politics Again and Misleads His Viewers Along the Way

Daily Signal  "Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on Thursday deleted a video clip from Twitter and YouTube that falsely informed viewers that a proposed Federal Communications Commission rule would force them to pay hundreds of dollars to complain to the FCC.

“ 'The FCC is considering a plan that would require U.S. citizens to pay $225 to make a complaint. So, if you’re mad about how high your cable bill is, soon you can pay the government $225 to complain about it,” the host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” told his viewers Wednesday night.

“ 'Boy, they really have the fingers on the pulse of us, don’t they? It’s shameless, really. Time and time again this administration, they side with the big corporations over people,” the comedian riffed. He then acted out a skit in which a coffee shop customer had to pay $225 to complain about a barista spitting in his drink.

"But Kimmel appears to have botched the facts.

"Americans aren’t charged to file informal complaints through the FCC Consumer Complaint Center, a fact that won’t change under any rule being considered by the FCC." . . .

. . . "An ABC spokesperson did not return a request for comment regarding Kimmel’s misinformation and the deleted videos." . . .

Pandemonium: GOP Congressman Hits Strzok On Extramarital Affair And Democrats Went Ballistic

Matt Vespa at Townhall

"Crank it up to eleven. The intense hearing—that is still ongoing—between members of the House Judiciary Committee and disgraced FBI Agent Peter Strzok. Mr. Strzok engaged in an extramarital affair with former FBI lawyer Lisa Page. They sent tens of thousands of texts, almost all of them anti-Trump. Strzok was involved in two key FBI investigations, the Russia investigation and the Hillary Clinton email probe, and this bias has been the subject of controversy within the halls of the FBI and the Department of Justice. The whole hearing has been combative, a delicious circus with Republican members leveling legitimate criticism as Strzok, dotted with Democrats interrupting lines of questioning, and desperately trying to pivot to other issues. It’s a circus. It will go down as a great day in political theater. 

"Yet, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) decided to go there this afternoon, mentioning his affair with Page, which drew loud objections from Democrats.  

“ 'You've embarrassed yourself, and I can't help but wonder when I see you looking there with a little smirk, how many times did you look so innocent into your wife's eye and lie to her about Lisa,” Gohmert said to Strzok—and then all hell broke loose (via Washington Examiner):" . . .

We Cannot Allow Strzokians Back into Power

This Democrat Party is no longer the party of my family when growing up and it must not be allowed to rule over us! The Scriptures declare that our leaders are chosen by God and one has to wonder if we get this evil silliness because we have ostracized Him from our midst. The Tunnel Dweller

All pictures added by TD

This week, leftists have recently declared “cowboys” to be racist and sexist. Michael Landon's beautiful classic TV series, “Little House on the Prairie” has been declared racist and homophobic. Awhile back, leftists declared the peanut butter and jelly sandwich racist. 

Lloyd Marcus, the un-hyphenated American   "Peter Strzok's arrogance displayed at the Congressional Oversight Committee hearing on TV was infuriating. With their superior noses high in the air, Strzok and the Democrats behaviorally said f*** you to the Republicans, the law, and We the People. It was disgraceful watching Strzok and his Democratic posse insult our intelligence by claiming, despite overwhelming evidence, FBI agent Strzok had no bias against Trump.

"Strzok and the Democrats' insistence that Strzok had no bias against Trump reminded me of a comedy skit with the late Don Adams. In the skit, Adams' wife came home, catching him in bed with a woman. Adams' wife ranted expressing her shock and outrage. Adams and his lover calmly got out of bed, got dressed and made the bed. The woman left. Adams behaved like nothing happened and left the bedroom. The skit ends with his wife standing there, questioning her sanity – pondering whether or not she saw what she thinks she saw. Strzok and the Democrats are attempting to pull the same trick on America. They are telling us Strzok expressed no bias against Trump while clear evidence of Strzok's biases right before our eyes.

"The thing that got my blood boiling was Strzok's snooty attitude. His facial expressions and body language said, “How dare you question me. I don't have to answer any of your questions. F*** you Republicans and fly-over-country Trump-supportive Americans.” Strzok and his fellow FBI agent Lisa Pageimpugned Trump supporters as smelly hillbilly Walmart shoppers. Strzok epitomizes the American left's disdain for everyday Americans  -- We the People

Do we really want people with this insidious wacko kind of thinking back in power -- calling the shots, mandating how we must live our lives? If the Democrats take back Congress in November, rest assured, they will continue leftists' transformation of America." . . .