Steve McGrath
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

I didn’t ignore it. I read your entire response. I just don’t have your energy or the time to respond to every claim that you included in your response. I simply stated that Russia is not our enemy. This is an unimpeachable fact because we are not currently at war with Russia. You expanded from the legal context of our argument to include opinionated tripe, in true neocon tradition, that suggests Russia will eternally exist as a lurking enemy of America that seeks to subvert our democracy.

The Russophobic collusion hysteria that presently permeates our government is based on the grand media fabrication that President Trump is an ally of Putin. It all dates back to candidate Trump’s first major foreign policy speech. This occurred on April 27, 2016 at DC’s Mayflower Hotel where, according to a frenzy of media reports, candidate Trump and Senator Jeff Sessions also allegedly met with the Russian Ambassador and arranged VIP seating for him in the front row.

At the peak of media hysteria, the sponsors of the event released a statement that described the meeting between Trump and the Russian Ambassador. In excruciating detail, they characterized it as a “polite exchange of pleasantries” in a receiving line consisting of “two dozen guests”. In other words, they shook hands with each other after being introduced. The sponsors of the event also revealed that it was they — not the Trump campaign — who invited the Russian Ambassador and assigned him his front row, VIP seat.

The mainstream media frequently cites candidate Trump’s April 2016 speech to declare his foreign policy as “pro-Russia”. During the speech, only 152 words out of 4686 were dedicated to the subject of Russia. At the average of 130 spoken words per minute, he dedicated 1 minute and 12 seconds to Russia in a speech that lasted 36 minutes. I have included a transcript below of the 152 words Trump dedicated to the subject of Russia.

“We desire to live peacefully and in friendship with Russia and China. We have serious differences with these two nations, and must regard them with open eyes, but we are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek common ground based on shared interests.”

“Russia, for instance, has also seen the horror of Islamic terrorism. I believe an easing of tensions, and improved relations with Russia from a position of strength only is possible, absolutely possible. Common sense says this cycle, this horrible cycle of hostility must end and ideally will end soon. Good for both countries”

“Some say the Russians won’t be reasonable. I intend to find out. If we can’t make a deal under my administration, a deal that’s great — not good, great — for America, but also good for Russia, then we will quickly walk from the table. It’s as simple as that. We’re going to find out.”

Do these 152 words shock or alarm you? Is there anything you find unreasonable in his brief comments regarding his approach to our relationship with Russia? His speeches at campaign rallies followed the same theme. He consistently stated that he would engage with Russia, from a position of strength, to seek common ground on shared interests. He never once indicated that he would appease them.

Although you inferred so in your response, I did not suggest that Russia was our friend or “frenemy”, or that President Trump should seek to form an alliance with them. While I may be married to a former Russian citizen, neither my wife nor I espouse that they represent the lexicon of values that we share. Corrupt government officials, religious conflict, open and unsecure borders and ethnic and LGBTQ discrimination are issues that currently plague Russian society. Sound familiar?

As we have discussed previously, I will never question your personal views on racism which have formed through your life experiences, but I will reject any attempts by those that obstinately promote anti-russian propaganda or publicly express hatred and intolerance of the Russian people for political gain. This is bigotry in its worst form.

I do appreciate your follow-up comments which I find more rational and reasonable. Thank you, Amber.

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    Steve McGrath

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    Mammalian; rounded braincase; thick skull balanced on a vertical backbone

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