Donald Trumps Phone Conversation With the Leader of Pakistan Was Reckless and Bizarre
Source: TIME
According to a readout of the conversation from the Pakistani authorities, he apparently agreed to visit the country and said he was ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. He reportedly added: You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. The hilarity of his hyperbole aside, Trumps intervention could have serious consequences for both regional and global stability.
First, a quick summary: since the British quit the subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought four wars, of which three have been over the northern region of Kashmir. Heavily militarized, and divided between the two by a de facto border called the Line of Control (LoC), Kashmir is claimed in its entirely by both New Delhi and Islamabad. With tensions in the region climbing again in recent months, another war, many fear, could potentially go nuclear. Against this backdrop, Washington has a particularly tricky balancing act to negotiate if it is to help maintain stability.
Ties with Islamabad have deteriorated in recent years, with questions about Pakistans role in abetting terror groups souring relations. But although military and economic aid to Pakistan has been cut, reflecting U.S. frustration with Islamabads support for anti-American insurgent outfits such as the Taliban, the cord hasnt been severed; Pakistan continues to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. financial support, and some in Washington question whether America can afford to walk away.
Washington has clearly been cultivating a regional counterweight to China, Indias powerful northern neighbor. China has noticed, and has correspondingly been building links with Pakistan. In fact, as Obama landed in India, China rolled out the red carpet for Pakistans then military chief, who was visiting Beijing. Around the same time, a commentary in the Global Times, a Chinese newspaper with close government ties, warned against what it called the Wests ulterior motives in deepening links with India
Read more: http://time.com/4587069/donald-trump-pakistan-phone-call-nawaz-sharif/
get the red out
(13,462 posts)And doesn't want a clue, getting a clue is just too much trouble, Pence can go get a clue, but he doesn't need to be worrying little Donnie with it.
lark
(23,097 posts)Yes he is clueless and absolutely doesn't care what he's doing to us or to the world, he is focused like a laser on what he can do for himself. Guaranteed, he has some con going, something he wants from them and doesn't care about the cost because he won't be the one that pays it. He's really pretty simple, every single thing he does is about increasing his own power and wealth, that's his only motiviation in this entire world. So what if India and Pakistan go to war, if we sell them munitions, he can set it up to get a cut with UT of the profits. He has no heart or no morals whatsoever, is pure evil.
get the red out
(13,462 posts)Yes, serving himself is something he definitely is concerned about.
harun
(11,348 posts)It's the biggest PR con job in the world.
HAB911
(8,891 posts)where they harbored bin Laden, that would be special
bdamomma
(63,846 posts)dumpf is a terrible man, he is not even pResident yet and he is reaching out to these countries another nuclear country too.
Bad Dog
(2,025 posts)He was elected to office on 11th May 2013. Donald Trump may be an idiot, but I bet he at least knew that before he made the phone call.
harun
(11,348 posts)greymattermom
(5,754 posts)are becoming the source of news. Now, that's interesting. Print media and their internet presence may save us.
BumRushDaShow
(128,917 posts)but unfortunately, little of what they wrote about was considered worthy enough for consideration by teevee "pundits" (gasbags) or radio bloviators in rural areas, which is what more Americans apparently pay attention to.
ProudProgressiveNow
(6,129 posts)NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)but, Trump's supporters aren't reading Time & Newsweek. They're more the "Guns & Ammo" or "Soldier of Fortune" readers.
barbtries
(28,789 posts)after decades of not having a subscription, i subscribed to the NYTimes and the LATimes. I considered it more than just a way to keep in touch, but one way to support the first amendment. heaven knows i got no use whatsoever for cable news (with few exceptions). can't even watch the local news since the election. sigh.
lark
(23,097 posts)Repugs absolutely don't give a shit what horrible thing he does, they will NEVER hold him accountable, they want the power he gives them. Even if he got caught raping a 12 year old at the WH, they'd just put in Pence who's almost as bad domestilly, though he wont sell us out to Russia for personal profit as drumpf has long planned. Our only hope, and it's damn thin right now, is that Obama gets the evidence he needs to convict him of treason by colluding with Russia to steal our election. He's settled the fraud case, good luck NY in collecting, and scared away the young woman he raped at 13 by threatening murder of her entire family and her. Are all Repugs total traitors to the ideals of this country, just plain stupid, or so rich they will rake it in with his tax and destruction of the environment by removing all regulations proposals.
JudyM
(29,236 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)MBS
(9,688 posts)Trump's ignorance is both embarrassing and dangerous, especially with regard to foreign policy. Ditto his shameless "crony capitalism" approach to the presidency.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called President-elect USA Donald Trump and felicitated him on his victory. President Trump said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif you have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. I am looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you Prime Minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and I will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January that is before I assume my office.
On being invited to visit Pakistan by the Prime Minister, Mr. Trump said that he would love to come to a fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people. Please convey to the Pakistani people that they are amazing and all Pakistanis I have known are exceptional people, said Mr. Donald Trump.
bdamomma
(63,846 posts)is making me shiver. Scary this man is not well.
this quote from rump is horrible.
Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honor and I will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January that is before I assume my office.
MBS
(9,688 posts)cab67
(2,992 posts)DemoTex
(25,396 posts)Or fellated Trump? Or both?
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Dang, what they can do with those phones now, eh.
COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)State "Universities" boys and girls are forced to share the same curriculum. It's also been reported (on Fox, of course) that they were seen matriculating together in broad daylight! Well I never...
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Magna cum laude summa times.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)world wide wally
(21,742 posts)They have equal ownership also no with the GOP
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)wordpix
(18,652 posts)is telling Pakistan, "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Let me be your puppet." Impeach!
The Deplorable is unfit to be president in every way.
This is the first time in my life that I've really worried about our national security. And the worry is not so much from outside, but from INSIDE our country: from the people who supposedly (I confess that I am still in denial) will soon occupy the White House. There is, first of all, Trump. And then to advise him on national security, the traitorous, unstable, Dr. Strangelove-like Flynn. And maybe the convicted (and insufficiently punished) traitor Petraeus as well. And all the rest of them.
War Pigs
(252 posts)Despicable sounds nice for him and his minority of voters
MBS
(9,688 posts)Despicable is a much more appropriate term for this crew.
barbtries
(28,789 posts)anyone who didn't believe that a trump presidency would bring with it serious domestic instability was not paying attention. in fact his very campaign threatened the same. imagine if he had lost in a close election?
oh we are so fucked.
JudyM
(29,236 posts)christx30
(6,241 posts)by bowing. There are lightyears between a respectful bow and "tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it".
No respect for Trump at all. He doesn't deserve anything.
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,433 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Almost looks like a mis-spelling..........
ahem.....
I had no idea that could be used as a verb.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)that any potential "world leader" could possibly be so stupid, so evidently obsequious. It was nauseating.
We should be prepared to be embarrassed on a regular basis at a global level.
MBS
(9,688 posts)Actually, I think that we'll be lucky if his words are "only" embarrassing.
I'm even more worried about the potentially dire consequences of his stupidity, lack of knowledge and curiosity, lack of sense of responsibility, personal insecurity, and unprecedented level of corruption/conflicts of interest for national security and international
relationships.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)No, actually, it DOES make me physically ill.
MBS
(9,688 posts)barbtries
(28,789 posts)as with all things trump, i know he's full of shit. does pakistan? does india? does china?
oh, the damage this man can do. seems nearly endless.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)we'll lose billions and billions of Canadian, Mexico, Australian, trade along with all the other signer countries moving ahead with the TPP without USA anymore.
Javaman
(62,521 posts)mahina
(17,651 posts)For this hideously illuminating story.
What a travesty to have this lowlight 'leading' this country.
I'm looking for a silver lining. I guess we had too much power and influence.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Aw crap! Here we go again!
Nitram
(22,794 posts)KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)world wide wally
(21,742 posts)Everybody in the world except the American voter can see that. And it just pisses them off.
democrank
(11,094 posts)A national embarrassment with his ineptitude on frightening display.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)I think that Trump has the potential to surpass Dubya in his capacity to wreak havoc on both foreign, fiscal, and domestic policies.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)America will never be able to swat thousands of new mines, drilling, fracking, prison slave labor businesses, factory farms much worse than todays, animal shelters where instead of euthanasia unwanted pets are sold directly to labs like the old days.
Can get to the point where some asshole republican allows some dog fur country like china take the dogs live. Republicans already allow shipping of live horses outside our borders, including sea shipping containers stuffed full. A very, very small step to start with pet dogs and cats.
Horrible to stand by and watch Republicans fuck up our country and roll back any decent good positive changes.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)ewagner
(18,964 posts)Two points:
Either he doesn't understand/know about the unacceptable use of the term "final solution"; or,
he DOES know it and means that he'll assist Pakistan by "carpet bombing the hell" out it's enemies (does he know that means INDIA?!!!!)
either alternative is frightening as hell!
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Those kids will just grow up as more 'enemies'.
ewagner
(18,964 posts)Does Trump actually know this or is he so incredibly ignorant he can't tie his own shoes? (in a political sense of coourse)
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Kolesar
(31,182 posts)Perseus
(4,341 posts)I may be wrong, but I don't think he knows the implications of what he says, I believe he doesn't think before he opens his mouth, or before he acts. I think he has had people act on his behalf all his life, mostly lawyers, and he has put very little thought to anything he has done, besides the grabbing part.
I believe he doesn't weigh out consequences of his actions or statements, there has always been a group of lawyers to get him out of trouble.
Anyway, that is the big danger with this guy, by not thinking he will do a lot of damage, and with the ball-less group of republicans pushing their chaotic agenda, things will not go well, specially for those who voted for him, they will hopefully understand that their contribution ended on November 8, 2016, after that they shall be forgotten and placed with the others who did not vote for him.
Because I am an optimist, I still have hopes that the Electoral College has been horrified enough by this Man-Child and the choices he has made so far to swamp Washington even further, and with real swamp material, do the right thing and elect HRC to office.
ewagner
(18,964 posts)I'd like to think you are right and that his allegiance to the Republican majorities and their radical, punitive agenda will cause a major uproar to remove both him and Pence from office but I'm not as optimistic as you.
Freethinker65
(10,017 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)And the GOP accused Obama of being too friendly with the Muslim world.
bdamomma
(63,846 posts)this is not a fucking game.
This man is going ruin our country. Is Congress going to stand up to him????? or are we??
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I expect Congress will 'play' Trump like a fiddle and get what they want.
Perseus
(4,341 posts)I have to imagine the Pakistani Prime Minister must have had a very hard time containing his laughter, he never expected to have a ten year old on the other line.
It is a very scary conversation for many reasons, "I will play any roll you want me to play"???
Call me any time? and I will get you a deal with our new line of used cars...
You are fantastic, your country is fantastic, your people are fantastic, I almost feel like you are my brother...
This is by no means funny, this is very worrisome, and scary.
WTF????
bucolic_frolic
(43,148 posts)Clueless as to what to do, no vision, no cajones, no scruples, no idea what to do
Big_K
(237 posts)The cabinet is Pence-worthy all the way.
Drumpf is going to either stay a figurehead or get impeached with the Repugs leading the charge. Then all is set for Prez Prince and the assault on women's rights, LGBTQ rights, middle class rights, etc.
(Step 3: Ryan gets himself appointed VP under Pence, then they get Pence to resign for some cushy job somewhere, and the coup is complete.)
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,181 posts)Ryan is Frank Underwood?
Big_K
(237 posts)And it's a lovely district where his home town votes against him.
It the local Democratic Party had any balls, they would be working against him. But they go to the fainting couch and wail that he is too unbeatable. Hell, they should have made a play to the Trumpites to vote against Ryan because he was so mean to their Dumpfuhrer.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)these world leaders must be laughing their asses off at this fucking buffoonish clown potusfuhrer-in-waiting. I can hear them now laughing about how ameriKKKa has finally gotten its comeuppence for the generations of hidden racism and even more, that we have shown that ignorant voters that stayed in the background until a fascist leader raised his snake head to become the idiot leader of the idiot trumpfuhrer voters, are LEGION. AmeriKKKa has fallen to the lowest common denominator as the POS potusfuhrer-in-waiting has proved. Whatever god there may be, we are beyond help. Don't even try to save us. Do better to start all over.
randome
(34,845 posts)Which is what they should do: leave the U.S. out of it.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]
potone
(1,701 posts)when he does something that isn't reckless and bizarre.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)and in his business.
International diplomacy is hard...
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)time or do you think he thinks he actually sounds like a brilliant statesman? If I was him, I would be embarrassed to ever show my face in public again.
Generator
(7,770 posts)Put their children's lives in the hands of this crackpot insane asshole. Nuclear war wasn't even enough to stop people from voting against this danger. What is wrong with people? I do not understand. I didn't love Hillary I liked her. I didn't love Bernie I liked him. I LOVE MY CHILDREN why don't those that voted against Hillary get that? Thanks for nothing anybody that didn't vote for Hillary. I guess I will blame you when the siren goes off. No bunkers anymore but for the very rich.