(03-02-2025, 06:15 PM)mikesez Wrote:

(03-02-2025, 04:49 PM)homebiscuit Wrote: And there it is, the old leftist rhetoric that Putin is steering the American political process. It's become the automatic opt out when forced to own up to weak Democrat policies and their consequences. 

Wait, I want to play too: 'Sorry, Mike, but your assertion appears to be a classic Russian disinformation campaign.' Am I doing it right? 

Good gawd, Putin is (conveniently) around every corner with you folks.

Let's talk abstractly.
There are levels of closeness that countries can have militarily.  From most distant to closest:

0. I do nothing for you.
1. I sell non lethal items to you.
2. I sell weapons to you.
3. I give you non lethal things for free.
4. I give you weapons.
5. I give you access to my intelligence and surveillance.
6. I train your guys on my soil
7. I send my guys to you in support or training roles.
8. I send my guys to you in front line roles.

Under Obama we were at a 3 with Ukraine. Trump 1st term took us to a 4, but for a small number of weapons.  Biden quickly took us to a 6 prior to Russia's invasion.  Trump is now trying to take us back to a 1 or a 2.

Have I said anything false? Before we draw conclusions I just want us to agree on the facts and the sequence of events.