Hard to disagree with anything you say here. One profoundly puzzling piece of our deeply puzzling political environment is the abject capitulation of prominent Republicans to seeming policy folly, in this case foreign policy folly. First, they enthusiastically participate in the destruction of our institutions. Then they praise the destruction as a fantastic accomplishment, even though they (presumably) know better and think differently in private. Are they taking a page from the handbook of the current president and knowingly and consciously lying, seeing the political rewards one can reap by doing it? It is difficult to believe that craven political ambition alone can explain this. Would someone so apparently serious as the current Secretary of State really be prepared to sacrifice everything, including the national interest, on that hollow altar? How about true belief then? Or the zeal of the convert? Did he suddenly become convinced that our institutions were so deeply rotten that only destruction, and not reform, could begin to address it? That whatever might come next, even if it's nothing, would be better than what had been there before? I'm frankly at a loss. Like many Americans, I find myself wondering whether those in positions of power by definition know what they're doing and know something we don't. Then I remember (from personal experience) that high position alone confers little or nothing. First comes the role of strong institutions. Then comes the will and vision and hard work of individual people, including our leaders--for good or ill. It's hard not see the situation tipping sharply in the latter direction as a result of all this. Our institutions be damned. And to think that principled position now appears partisan. What have we come to?
Marco Stupio has been a dismal excuse for a SecState. Just as Puppy Killer Noem has been a disgusting excuse for a DHS Secretary. We will never know how many people we turned our backs on, left starving and sick, abandoned in the middle of medical treatments, whose schools are half-built or whose small entrepreneurial businesses will collapse even as they repay their USAID small business loan. I worked with USAID's staff -- both American and foreign nationals -- in Colombia and South Africa many decades ago, but I still carry the impression of professionals strongly committed to a better quality of life in the host country. AID programs helped people understand Americans as generous, compassionate, inventive, striving, and devoted to pulling others up the ladder of success as well. That has all gone down the drain now, along with the Fulbright Scholarship program, international professional visitors exchange programs, binational (host country+U.S.) centers for English classes, live cultural performances, art exhibitions, and short courses on American film, theater, dance, music, and history.
Thanks, Jim. Rubio is a shape-shifter, a son of immigrants who no longer values immigration, and his position as SecState, NSA, and (until 7/1) USAID Administrator is a travesty. He and DHS Noem must figure out how revoking TPS for people whose home countries have DOS travel warnings makes any sense.
So well said. Way back in the day before I gave up on being a moderate/centrist Republican, I traveled to New Hampshire to campaign for Rubio. I was overjoyed to get to meet him and shake his hand. I had so much admiration for him and his story.
Now, like you, I've grown increasingly disappointed and disgusted by the actions of this man I once respected so highly. I have to wonder if it eats him up inside when he lays his head down at night.
Thanks for this story Jim. Like you, I was utterly amazed that Rubio caved on his previous commitments and praise of foreign assistance. Thank you. BTW, your boyhood stories are great! Keep ‘em coming!
Hard to disagree with anything you say here. One profoundly puzzling piece of our deeply puzzling political environment is the abject capitulation of prominent Republicans to seeming policy folly, in this case foreign policy folly. First, they enthusiastically participate in the destruction of our institutions. Then they praise the destruction as a fantastic accomplishment, even though they (presumably) know better and think differently in private. Are they taking a page from the handbook of the current president and knowingly and consciously lying, seeing the political rewards one can reap by doing it? It is difficult to believe that craven political ambition alone can explain this. Would someone so apparently serious as the current Secretary of State really be prepared to sacrifice everything, including the national interest, on that hollow altar? How about true belief then? Or the zeal of the convert? Did he suddenly become convinced that our institutions were so deeply rotten that only destruction, and not reform, could begin to address it? That whatever might come next, even if it's nothing, would be better than what had been there before? I'm frankly at a loss. Like many Americans, I find myself wondering whether those in positions of power by definition know what they're doing and know something we don't. Then I remember (from personal experience) that high position alone confers little or nothing. First comes the role of strong institutions. Then comes the will and vision and hard work of individual people, including our leaders--for good or ill. It's hard not see the situation tipping sharply in the latter direction as a result of all this. Our institutions be damned. And to think that principled position now appears partisan. What have we come to?
Pitch perfect, Jim. USAID, and America, deserve better.
Yes!
And Katie is one of those dedicated people.
Marco Stupio has been a dismal excuse for a SecState. Just as Puppy Killer Noem has been a disgusting excuse for a DHS Secretary. We will never know how many people we turned our backs on, left starving and sick, abandoned in the middle of medical treatments, whose schools are half-built or whose small entrepreneurial businesses will collapse even as they repay their USAID small business loan. I worked with USAID's staff -- both American and foreign nationals -- in Colombia and South Africa many decades ago, but I still carry the impression of professionals strongly committed to a better quality of life in the host country. AID programs helped people understand Americans as generous, compassionate, inventive, striving, and devoted to pulling others up the ladder of success as well. That has all gone down the drain now, along with the Fulbright Scholarship program, international professional visitors exchange programs, binational (host country+U.S.) centers for English classes, live cultural performances, art exhibitions, and short courses on American film, theater, dance, music, and history.
Thanks, Jim. Rubio is a shape-shifter, a son of immigrants who no longer values immigration, and his position as SecState, NSA, and (until 7/1) USAID Administrator is a travesty. He and DHS Noem must figure out how revoking TPS for people whose home countries have DOS travel warnings makes any sense.
Rubio is a total empty suit.
So well said. Way back in the day before I gave up on being a moderate/centrist Republican, I traveled to New Hampshire to campaign for Rubio. I was overjoyed to get to meet him and shake his hand. I had so much admiration for him and his story.
Now, like you, I've grown increasingly disappointed and disgusted by the actions of this man I once respected so highly. I have to wonder if it eats him up inside when he lays his head down at night.
Thanks for this story Jim. Like you, I was utterly amazed that Rubio caved on his previous commitments and praise of foreign assistance. Thank you. BTW, your boyhood stories are great! Keep ‘em coming!
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